Measuring myelin damage in the brain and spinal cord in multiple sclerosis
Official title: Quantitation of myelin damage in optic nerve, brainstem, cervical spinal cord, and corpus-callosum in MS
Funded at VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System · NIH-11073120 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how advanced MRI scans can help us see different types of damage in the brains and spinal cords of people with multiple sclerosis, which could lead to better ways to track the disease and improve treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01CX002570-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11073120 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis who are experiencing symptoms related to myelin damage.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other neurological disorders unrelated to multiple sclerosis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on using advanced MRI techniques to measure and differentiate myelin damage, axonal injury, and remyelination in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). By employing a novel imaging method called ultrahigh-b Diffusion-Weighted MRI (UHb-DWI), the study aims to improve the accuracy of detecting these changes in the central nervous system. This could lead to better monitoring of disease progression and the effectiveness of potential treatments. The research seeks to enhance our understanding of how MS affects the brain and spinal cord, ultimately benefiting patient care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic tools and treatment strategies for patients with multiple sclerosis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research using advanced MRI techniques has shown promise in understanding demyelination and axonal injury in multiple sclerosis, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jeong, Eun-Kee (E.k.) — VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Jeong, Eun-Kee (E.k.)
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.