Improving Brain Tumor Surgery with Advanced MRI
Development of multinuclear MRI for image guided therapy of glioma patients
This project aims to create a new type of MRI scan to help surgeons more accurately remove brain tumors in patients with glioma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11142517 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Gliomas are aggressive brain tumors where it's often hard for surgeons to see the exact edges during an operation. Current imaging methods don't always show the full extent of the tumor, which can make it difficult to remove as much as possible. This project is developing an advanced MRI technique that looks at the tumor's unique metabolism, like specific chemicals it produces. By mapping these metabolic changes with high detail, doctors hope to get a clearer picture of the tumor's boundaries. This improved imaging could guide surgeons to remove more of the tumor and help personalize future treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients diagnosed with glioma, especially those undergoing surgery or considering new metabolic-targeting therapies, might eventually benefit from this research.
Not a fit: Patients with brain conditions other than glioma or those not undergoing surgical or metabolic-targeted treatments may not directly benefit from this specific imaging advancement.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this new imaging method could lead to more complete tumor removal during surgery and help doctors choose more effective treatments for glioma patients.
How similar studies have performed: While the concept of maximal surgical resection and the role of metabolism in gliomas are known, this specific multinuclear MRI approach for high-resolution metabolic imaging to guide therapy is a novel development.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Andronesi, Ovidiu C — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Andronesi, Ovidiu C
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.