Improving MRI technology for better brain and spinal cord imaging
Integrated Next-generation RF Transmit, Receive and B0 shimming coil system for brain and spinal cord MRI at 7 Tesla
This study is working on a new type of MRI that uses advanced technology to take clearer pictures of the brain and spinal cord, which could help people with spinal cord injuries and chronic pain get better diagnoses and understand their conditions more clearly.
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 ID | NIH-11116987 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing advanced MRI technology that enhances imaging of the brain and spinal cord using a 7 Tesla MRI machine. It aims to create specialized equipment that corrects issues with signal inhomogeneity, allowing for clearer and more detailed images. By improving the quality of these images, the research seeks to provide insights into how the brain and spinal cord interact, particularly in conditions like spinal cord injury and chronic pain. Patients may benefit from more accurate diagnoses and better understanding of their conditions through this innovative imaging approach.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with spinal cord injuries, chronic pain, or motor diseases who require advanced imaging for diagnosis or treatment.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to the brain or spinal cord, or those who do not require MRI imaging, may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic capabilities and treatment planning for patients with neurological conditions.
How similar studies have performed: While advanced MRI techniques have shown promise in other studies, this specific approach to simultaneous brain and spinal cord imaging at 7 Tesla is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, United States
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yan, Xinqiang — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Yan, Xinqiang
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.