Low-field MRI to measure the makeup of connective tissue and cartilage
Quantitative Characterization of the Extra Cellular Matrix Components of Connective Tissue: Fingerprinting Macromolecular Components through Low-Field Magnetic Resonance
This project uses affordable low-field MRI to measure key building blocks of connective tissues like cartilage and fascia in adults with joint or back problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tulane University of Louisiana NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Orleans, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11109678 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team will build lab gels that mimic the structure and composition of connective tissues so they can tune low-field MRI settings to detect proteoglycans and collagen organization. They will apply those optimized MRI methods to articular cartilage and the lumbodorsal fascia to find imaging signatures that distinguish healthy from fibrotic tissue. The work aims to identify reliable low-field MRI biomarkers that could be used in affordable, point-of-care scanners for musculoskeletal conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults with joint pain, cartilage problems, or back/fascia-related symptoms who are interested in imaging-based diagnosis or monitoring.
Not a fit: Patients without connective-tissue or musculoskeletal concerns, or those needing immediate clinical treatment rather than diagnostic imaging research, are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could enable cheaper, noninvasive scans to detect and monitor fibrosis and other connective tissue changes earlier and more widely.
How similar studies have performed: High-field MRI methods have previously identified cartilage biomarkers, but applying and validating similar biomarkers on low-field MRI for clinical point-of-care use is newer and less tested.
Where this research is happening
New Orleans, United States
- Tulane University of Louisiana — New Orleans, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Witherspoon, Velencia — Tulane University of Louisiana
- Study coordinator: Witherspoon, Velencia
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.