Mapping brain blood flow in infants using advanced imaging techniques
Official title: A fast CTOT for mapping whole brain hemodynamic activity in infants
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-10849656 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to take pictures of blood flow in babies' brains to help doctors understand their brain activity better, especially for those who might have developmental delays.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $193,050 |
| NIH project number | 5R21HD108494-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10849656 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants and young children, particularly those at risk for neurodevelopmental delays or brain injuries.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 11 years or those without neurodevelopmental concerns may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new imaging technique called Cap-based Transcranial Optical Tomography (CTOT) to map brain blood flow in infants. Traditional methods like fMRI are challenging to use in young children, especially those at risk for developmental delays. The study aims to improve the speed and accuracy of brain imaging by using advanced detector technology, allowing for quicker assessments of brain activity. This could lead to better individualized care for infants with neurodevelopmental concerns.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide more accurate and timely assessments of brain health in infants, leading to improved management of neurodevelopmental issues.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using advanced imaging techniques for brain mapping, but this specific approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhu, Banghe — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Zhu, Banghe
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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.