Improving liver imaging to diagnose inflammation in fatty liver disease
Liver Parametric PET
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS · NIH-10689881
This study is testing a new way to use a special imaging technique to see how much inflammation is in the liver for people with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is a serious type of fatty liver disease, to help doctors better understand and manage their condition.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (DAVIS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-10689881 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new imaging technique using positron emission tomography (PET) to assess liver inflammation associated with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a severe form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The study aims to utilize a common radiotracer, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), in a novel liver parametric PET method that measures glucose transport in the liver. By employing dynamic scanning and tracer kinetic modeling, the researchers hope to provide a noninvasive way to differentiate between simple fatty liver and NASH, which is crucial for effective patient management. This approach addresses the current limitations of existing imaging methods that do not adequately assess liver inflammation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are diagnosed with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, particularly those suspected of having nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
Not a fit: Patients with alcoholic liver disease or those who do not have fatty liver disease may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and noninvasive diagnosis of NASH, allowing for better management and treatment of patients with fatty liver disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using PET imaging for various applications, but this specific approach for assessing liver inflammation in NASH is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
DAVIS, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS — DAVIS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: WANG, GUOBAO — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS
- Study coordinator: WANG, GUOBAO
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.