Improving consistency of brain blood-flow MRI scans across hospitals
Automated Quality Evaluation and Harmonization for Multisite ASL MRI Data
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · NIH-11363971
This project builds automated tools to clean up and standardize non-invasive brain blood-flow MRI scans so results are more reliable for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11363971 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you have Alzheimer’s or related memory problems, this project aims to make your brain blood-flow (ASL MRI) scans easier to trust across different hospitals. Researchers will create automated quality checks that flag noisy or artifact-filled scans and point to likely causes instead of relying on subjective visual review. They will also develop methods to harmonize scans collected with different machines and protocols so measurements can be compared across sites. The work starts with prototype testing on one vendor platform and moves toward multisite validation using existing ASL datasets and expert-labeled examples.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment, or related dementias who have had or can provide ASL MRI scans at participating centers.
Not a fit: People without ASL MRI scans, those with unrelated medical conditions, or those whose care is entirely outside participating imaging centers are unlikely to directly benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: More consistent and accurate MRI blood-flow measures could improve diagnosis, tracking of disease, and the selection of patients for clinical trials.
How similar studies have performed: Harmonization approaches have improved consistency for structural MRI, but automated quality control and harmonization specifically for ASL brain blood-flow scans remain relatively new.
Where this research is happening
PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA — PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: DOLUI, SUDIPTO — UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- Study coordinator: DOLUI, SUDIPTO
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.
Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia, Alzheimer disease detection, Alzheimer syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease