Improving MRI techniques to measure liver iron levels without requiring breath-holding
Official title: Rapid Free-Breathing 3D High-Resolution MRI for Volumetric Liver Iron Quantification
Funded at State University New York Stony Brook · NIH-11298501 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new MRI method that makes it easier and more comfortable for people, especially kids, to check their liver iron levels without needing to hold their breath, which is important for managing conditions like hereditary hemochromatosis and transfusion hemosiderosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $200,602 |
| NIH project number | 7R21EB033985-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11298501 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with hereditary hemochromatosis or cancer patients who have undergone multiple blood transfusions and are at risk for iron overload.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without iron overload conditions or those who do not require liver iron quantification may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a rapid, free-breathing MRI technique to accurately quantify liver iron levels, which is crucial for managing conditions like hereditary hemochromatosis and transfusion hemosiderosis. By eliminating the need for patients to hold their breath during scans, the study aims to enhance the accuracy of liver iron quantification, making it more accessible for children and adults who struggle with breath-holding. The methodology involves advanced MRI imaging techniques that can capture data without the interference of respiratory motion, thus providing reliable results for better clinical management of iron overload. This non-invasive approach seeks to improve patient comfort while ensuring precise measurements of liver iron concentration.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and comfortable assessments of liver iron levels, improving treatment outcomes for patients with iron overload conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Similar research has shown promise in improving MRI techniques for various applications, but this specific approach to free-breathing liver iron quantification is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
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State University New York Stony Brook
Stony Brook, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kee, Youngwook — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Kee, Youngwook
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.