Measuring blood flow in the lungs using advanced imaging techniques
Official title: Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging of pulmonaryperfusion
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10947547 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how blood flows in the lungs of people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) using a special type of MRI, which could help us understand the disease better and lead to new treatments to improve care for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $122,788 |
| NIH project number | 1R03HL174682-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10947547 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or related pulmonary conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of lung disease that do not involve pulmonary fibrosis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a model that accurately measures blood flow and microvascular changes in the lungs, particularly in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). By using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, the study will analyze how a contrast agent moves through lung tissues, providing insights into blood flow and vascular permeability. The findings could help clarify the mechanisms behind lung fibrosis and improve understanding of the disease's progression. Ultimately, this research seeks to enhance patient care and support the development of new treatments for IPF.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better diagnostic tools and treatment strategies for patients suffering from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI have shown promise in assessing lung conditions, indicating that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhou, Iris Yuwen — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Zhou, Iris Yuwen
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Systemic imaging probes for detecting tissue oxygen levels in cancer and other diseases
A researcher aims to develop a new europium-based MRI contrast agent that can be given systemically to visualize oxygen levels (hypoxia) in cancer and other diseases.
-
Improving deep brain stimulation with MRI and AI
We use brain scans and artificial intelligence to speed up and personalize deep brain stimulation settings for people getting DBS.
-
How teens’ social media use affects mood and behavior with brain clues
Teenagers’ use of social media and online interactions may shape their mood and behavior, and this project looks at how brain activity relates to those experiences.
-
Portable MRI to identify brain injury after cardiac arrest
A portable, low-field MRI test is being studied to quickly identify brain injury in adults after cardiac arrest to guide treatment in the emergency room or ICU.
-
Understanding heart fibrosis with AI, MRI, and genomics
A doctor-scientist is using artificial intelligence, advanced heart MRI, and genetic data to learn how scar tissue forms in the aging heart and how to prevent it.
-
Ultrashort Echo Time MRI of the Knee to Detect Early Osteoarthritis
A new MRI technique using ultrashort echo time sequences to image knee tissues and detect early signs of knee osteoarthritis in patients.
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.