Measuring liver health in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) without invasive procedures

Non-invasive quantification of liver health in NASH (N-QUAN): A prospective diagnostic accuracy study

NIH-funded research Perspectum Diagnostics, INC. · NIH-10624175

This study is looking for a better way to check liver health in people with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) using a special MRI technique, so you can avoid the discomfort of a liver biopsy while still getting accurate results.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionPerspectum Diagnostics, INC. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (South San Francisco, United States)
Project IDNIH-10624175 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a non-invasive method to assess liver health in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) using MRI technology. The study aims to validate a specific MRI-derived biomarker, known as iron-corrected T1 (cT1), which could help identify patients who are more likely to have significant liver damage without the need for painful liver biopsies. By comparing cT1 results with traditional biopsy findings, the research seeks to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient comfort. The study will involve 225 patients suspected of having NASH who are referred for liver biopsy.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suspected of having NASH who are scheduled for a liver biopsy.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have suspected NASH or those who are not scheduled for liver biopsy may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a safer and more reliable way to diagnose liver health in NASH patients, potentially reducing the need for invasive procedures.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using MRI-derived biomarkers for liver health assessment, indicating potential success for this approach.

Where this research is happening

South San Francisco, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.