Mapping brain blood flow in newborns to understand brain development
Official title: Time-resolved laser speckle contrast imaging of resting-state functional connectivity in neonatal brain
Funded at Biopticstechnology, LLC · NIH-10950843 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new, non-invasive imaging technique to help doctors see how blood flows in the brains of newborns, which can help them spot and treat brain injuries early on.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Biopticstechnology, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $929,560 |
| NIH project number | 4R42MH135825-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10950843 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are newborns, particularly those at risk for brain injuries or developmental issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older children or adults, or those without any history of brain injury, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new imaging technology to monitor blood flow in the brains of newborns, which is essential for identifying and managing brain injuries early. The approach uses time-resolved laser speckle contrast imaging (TR-LSCI) to provide high-resolution images of cerebral blood flow across different brain regions without the need for invasive procedures. By capturing data in real-time, this method aims to improve our understanding of how brain connectivity develops in infants, potentially leading to better treatment strategies for those with brain injuries.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier diagnosis and improved management of brain injuries in newborns, ultimately enhancing their long-term health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Similar imaging technologies have shown promise in other studies, indicating that this approach could be effective in monitoring brain development.
Where this research is happening
-
Biopticstechnology, LLC
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yu, Guoqiang — Biopticstechnology, LLC
- Study coordinator: Yu, Guoqiang
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Better brain monitoring for babies
This project is creating a new way to continuously watch how a baby's brain is developing, especially after an injury.
-
Wearable fluorescence loupe to help surgeons spot brain tumor tissue
A lightweight device that helps surgeons see glowing tumor tissue during brain operations for people with malignant gliomas.
-
Creating a wearable device to help surgeons identify brain tumors during surgery
This study is testing a new, affordable device called FLoupe™ that helps surgeons see brain tumors more clearly during surgery, making it easier to remove cancerous tissue and improve patient outcomes.
-
New imaging technique to monitor blood flow and metabolism in the brain of small animals
This study is testing a new way to take pictures of blood flow and oxygen use in the brains of small animals like mice and rats, which could help us learn more about brain health and recovery after strokes, ultimately leading to better treatments for neurological disorders.
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.