Imaging the liver and pancreas to understand risk of diabetes
Quantitative characterization of the liver-pancreas axis in diabetes via multiparametric magnetic resonance elastography
This project uses an advanced MRI method to image the liver, pancreas, and abdominal fat to help people with NAFLD or prediabetes learn about their diabetes risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11326652 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are developing a new 3-D magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) scan that measures mechanical and structural features of the liver, pancreas, and nearby fat. They will collect these noninvasive MRI scans in healthy volunteers and people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or prediabetes and link the images to measures of insulin secretion, action, and liver processing. The work combines new scanning sequences and image reconstruction methods to improve tissue characterization across the liver–pancreas axis. Results aim to identify imaging signs that relate to progression from prediabetes toward type 2 diabetes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (age 21 and older) with NAFLD, prediabetes, or early type 2 diabetes — as well as healthy volunteers for comparison — would be the ideal participants.
Not a fit: People who cannot undergo MRI (for example due to certain implanted metal devices or severe claustrophobia) or those with advanced end-stage liver disease may not be able to participate or gain direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the technique could help detect early organ changes that predict diabetes risk and guide earlier interventions to prevent progression.
How similar studies have performed: Magnetic resonance elastography is already successful for liver fibrosis detection, but applying multiparametric 3-D MRE across the liver–pancreas axis for prediabetes is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- Mayo Clinic Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yin, Meng — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Yin, Meng
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.