Improving fetal brain imaging using advanced technology
Official title: Bringing Coherent Fetal Brain Volumes and Automated Metrics to the Radiology Workflow
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-11072510 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on improving how doctors look at fetal brain scans by finding better ways to create clear 3D images from the 2D pictures that can get blurry when the baby moves, making it easier and faster for them to check on your baby's brain development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $588,880 |
| NIH project number | 1R01EB036945-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11072510 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are expectant mothers undergoing fetal MRI scans to monitor brain development.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those whose fetuses do not require MRI imaging for brain assessment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the interpretation of fetal brain MRI by addressing challenges caused by fetal movement during imaging. It aims to develop rapid and accurate methods for reconstructing coherent 3D fetal brain volumes from 2D images, which are often affected by motion artifacts. By utilizing deep-learning strategies, the project seeks to automate the generation of fetal brain metrics and integrate these results into the clinical workflow, making it easier for radiologists to assess brain development. This could significantly reduce the time and effort required for image analysis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and efficient assessments of fetal brain development, improving prenatal care.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using advanced imaging techniques and deep learning 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: Grant, Patricia Ellen — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Grant, Patricia Ellen
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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.