Imaging techniques for a rare neurological disease affecting children and adolescents
Non-Invasive Imaging of Neurological Glycogen Storage Disease
This study is looking at a new way to use MRI scans to help kids and teens with Lafora disease by tracking changes in their brain and muscle without any painful procedures, which could help doctors understand how the disease is progressing and how well treatments are working.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hugo W. Moser Res Inst Kennedy Krieger NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11058503 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on Lafora disease, a severe neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects children and adolescents, leading to epilepsy and rapid cognitive decline. The study aims to develop a non-invasive MRI technique to measure the accumulation of glycogen-like aggregates in the brain and muscle, which are characteristic of this disease. By utilizing a novel imaging approach called glycoNOE, researchers hope to establish a reliable method for monitoring disease progression and treatment effectiveness without the need for invasive procedures. This could provide critical insights into the disease's impact and potential therapeutic responses.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children and adolescents diagnosed with Lafora disease.
Not a fit: Patients with other forms of neurological disorders unrelated to Lafora disease may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a non-invasive method for monitoring Lafora disease, improving patient management and treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using non-invasive imaging for glycogen storage diseases is innovative, similar imaging techniques have shown promise in other contexts, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Hugo W. Moser Res Inst Kennedy Krieger — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yadav, Nirbhay Narayan — Hugo W. Moser Res Inst Kennedy Krieger
- Study coordinator: Yadav, Nirbhay Narayan
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.