NIH-funded research R01 grant

Improving brain imaging techniques for newborns and children

Official title: Accurate, reliable, and interpretable machine learning for assessment of neonatal and pediatric brain micro-structure

Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-11015913 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is working on improving brain scans for babies and kids to help doctors better understand their brain health, even when the images aren't perfect.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBoston Children's Hospital
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project startApril 6, 2023
Project endJanuary 31, 2028
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$380,550
NIH project number5R01HD110772-03
Project IDNIH-11015913 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are newborns and children who require brain imaging for assessment of potential neurological issues.

Less likely to help

Patients who are adults or do not require brain imaging will likely not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) to better assess brain microstructure in neonatal and pediatric patients. By developing advanced machine learning techniques, the project aims to accurately estimate brain biomarkers even from low-quality imaging data, which is often a challenge in young patients. The research utilizes large datasets, such as those from the Human Connectome Project, to train and validate these innovative methods. Ultimately, the goal is to provide more reliable assessments of brain health in infants and children.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic capabilities for detecting brain abnormalities in newborns and children.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using machine learning techniques for medical imaging, indicating potential success for this approach.

Where this research is happening

  • Boston Children's Hospital
    Boston, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Karimi, Davood — Boston Children's Hospital
  • Study coordinator: Karimi, Davood

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.