Improving MRI techniques to better understand spinal cord issues in multiple sclerosis.
Official title: Development of Susceptibility Weighted MRI for the Human Spinal Cord
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11037963 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new MRI technique to take a closer look at the spinal cords of people with multiple sclerosis, as well as healthy individuals, to help doctors better understand the disease and improve how it’s diagnosed.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $354,375 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EB036368-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11037963 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and healthy volunteers for comparison.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with spinal cord conditions unrelated to multiple sclerosis or those who do not meet the study criteria may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing and optimizing a specialized MRI technique called Susceptibility Weighted Imaging (SWI) to examine the human spinal cord in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). By using advanced MRI machines operating at 7T and 3T, the researchers aim to identify unique venous characteristics associated with MS pathology. The study will involve both healthy individuals and those with relapsing-remitting MS to validate the effectiveness of this imaging method. The ultimate goal is to enhance diagnostic capabilities and provide insights into the progression of MS and other spinal cord-related conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic tools for detecting and understanding multiple sclerosis and other spinal cord disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using SWI for brain imaging in MS, but this approach for spinal cord imaging is relatively novel and underexplored.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, Seth a — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Smith, Seth a
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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.