Improving tools for analyzing infant brain scans

Continued Development of Infant Neuroimaging Analysis Tools

NIH-funded research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11140142

This study is working on improving brain scan analysis tools for babies to better understand their brain development, especially for those at risk of conditions like autism, using a lot of existing MRI data.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chapel Hill, United States)
Project IDNIH-11140142 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing neuroimaging analysis tools specifically for infants, addressing the unique challenges of analyzing brain scans from this age group. By utilizing large-scale MRI datasets from various projects, the team aims to develop advanced techniques that can accurately assess brain development in infants, particularly in relation to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism. The project will build upon existing tools that have already processed thousands of infant scans, aiming to expand their capabilities to include more complex brain structures such as the cerebellum.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include infants and young children who are at risk for or diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autism.

Not a fit: Patients who are older than 21 years or those without neurodevelopmental concerns may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better diagnostic tools for identifying neurodevelopmental disorders in infants, ultimately improving early intervention strategies.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in developing neuroimaging tools for adults, but this approach for infants is relatively novel and untested.

Where this research is happening

Chapel Hill, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions autism spectral disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.