Improving MRI safety for patients with deep brain stimulators
Official title: Safe Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Patients with Deep Brain Stimulation Systems
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-10893365 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to make MRI scans safer for people with deep brain stimulation devices, so they can get the imaging they need without worrying about their implants, helping doctors better understand their health and treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2020 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $363,065 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS115180-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10893365 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with deep brain stimulation systems who require MRI imaging for their medical conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without implanted medical devices or those who do not require MRI scans may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance the safety of MRI scans for patients who have deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems implanted. Currently, many patients are denied MRI scans due to concerns about their medical devices. The project will develop a new workflow that uses advanced imaging techniques to safely monitor these patients, allowing for better assessment of their conditions and treatment effectiveness. The approach includes calculating RF currents and designing implant-friendly pulses to minimize heating around the DBS electrodes, followed by testing on phantoms, animals, and eventually human subjects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enable safer MRI scans for patients with DBS systems, improving disease monitoring and treatment evaluation.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been efforts to improve MRI safety for patients with implants, this specific approach is innovative and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Eryaman, Yigitcan — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Eryaman, Yigitcan
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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.