Longitudinal imaging of the nipple-areolar complex during pregnancy and lactation
Official title: Seeing deeper: Longitudinal In-Vivo Imaging of the Nipple-Areolar Complex During Pregnancy and Lactation
Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-11288288 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses noninvasive imaging to map how the nipple-areolar complex changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding to improve diagnosis for related conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project start | September 4, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $402,704 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD120908-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11288288 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant or lactating women who consent to longitudinal noninvasive imaging of the nipple-areolar complex.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not experiencing nipple-areolar symptoms or those unable to participate in longitudinal imaging may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This research will follow 168 pregnant and lactating participants to create a first-ever in-vivo imaging atlas of the nipple-areolar complex over time. It combines dermoscopy with line-field OCT to track normal tissue changes and to see if surface features predict deeper tissue characteristics. The study aims to provide noninvasive, objective diagnostic clues that could reduce the need for biopsies when women experience breast and nipple symptoms during pregnancy and lactation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to earlier, safer, and more accurate diagnosis of nipple-areolar conditions during pregnancy and lactation, potentially reducing unnecessary procedures and improving breastfeeding outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: This approach is pioneering in longitudinal in-vivo NAC imaging during pregnancy/lactation; prior work has shown promise in related noninvasive imaging methods but not this specific application.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California at Davis
Davis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Melissa Joy — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Chen, Melissa Joy
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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.