Improving brain imaging accuracy in children by addressing anatomical differences
Official title: Mitigating the statistical bias due to anatomical variation in pediatric fNIRS
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10987825 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to make brain scans using a safe and painless method called fNIRS more accurate for kids by creating a better way to understand how their unique brain shapes can affect the results, helping us learn more about how children's brains develop.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $407,268 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD110747-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10987825 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children undergoing fNIRS assessments for neurological evaluations or developmental studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not children or those who do not require brain imaging assessments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the accuracy of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), a non-invasive method used to monitor brain activity in children. It aims to address the statistical biases that arise from anatomical variations in the pediatric population, which can affect the interpretation of brain imaging results. By constructing a comprehensive database of anatomical information from existing pediatric MRI data, the researchers will develop a new statistical correction method to improve the reliability of fNIRS measurements across different demographics and spatial locations. This approach seeks to provide more accurate insights into brain function during childhood development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate assessments of brain function in children, improving diagnosis and treatment strategies for various neurological conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that addressing anatomical variations can significantly improve the accuracy of neuroimaging techniques, suggesting that this approach has the potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huppert, Theodore James — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Huppert, Theodore James
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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.