NIH-funded research R21 grant

Improving brain MRI accuracy by correcting motion errors

Official title: Elimination of slice alignment errors in 2-dimensional structural MRI

Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-10985901 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is working on a new way to fix blurry spots in brain MRI scans caused by movement, especially for kids or patients who might feel anxious, so that doctors can get clearer images for better diagnosis.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Maryland Baltimore
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project startSeptember 1, 2024
Project endAugust 31, 2026
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$208,575
NIH project number1R21EB035168-01A1
Project IDNIH-10985901 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research include children aged 0-11 years and patients who may experience confusion or agitation during MRI scans.

Less likely to help

Patients who do not require MRI scans or those who are able to remain completely still during imaging may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research aims to develop a new technique to correct motion errors in 2D brain MRI scans, which can be particularly problematic for children and patients who may be confused or agitated. The project will focus on addressing slice alignment errors that occur during imaging due to head movements. By using a novel navigator that tracks motion in real-time, the researchers hope to enhance the quality of MRI images, making them more reliable for diagnosis. The technique will be validated through tests on healthy subjects to ensure its effectiveness.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate brain imaging for children and patients with movement challenges, improving diagnosis and treatment outcomes.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in motion correction techniques for MRI, but this specific approach to slice alignment errors is novel and untested.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Maryland Baltimore
    Baltimore, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Ernst, Thomas M — University of Maryland Baltimore
  • Study coordinator: Ernst, Thomas M

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.