More reliable MRI scans to detect and track Multiple Sclerosis
Official title: Quantification of Multi-Compartment T1 Relaxation and Magnetization Transfer in Biological Tissue: From Biophysics to Biomarkers for Multiple Sclerosis
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11242018 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project develops faster, more reliable MRI methods to better detect and track brain changes in people with multiple sclerosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $616,477 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS131948-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11242018 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be people with multiple sclerosis or suspected MS who can undergo MRI scans at participating imaging centers.
✕Less likely to help
People who cannot have MRI scans (for example, due to implants or severe claustrophobia) or those with conditions unrelated to MS may not get direct benefit.
What this research studies
You would be helped by new MRI scanning and analysis methods that separate overlapping tissue signals so measurements reflect real biological differences rather than technical variability. The team is using a recently described 'hybrid state' approach to encode more realistic tissue models while keeping scan times short enough for clinical use. They plan to test these methods on real brain scans and compare them across sequences and centers to make results more reproducible. The goal is that MRI biomarkers become more comparable between hospitals and useful for care decisions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make MRI scans more consistent and sensitive for detecting and tracking multiple sclerosis, improving diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
How similar studies have gone: Some quantitative MRI methods have shown promise in smaller studies, but applying the new hybrid-state encoding to reduce variability and scan time is a novel advance.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Asslaender, Jakob — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Asslaender, Jakob
Related research
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Promoting brain repair in MS with a natural compound that nudges neural stem cells
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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.