MRI method to detect risky carotid artery plaques
Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping for Stroke Risk Prediction of Vulnerable Carotid Plaques
Uses a special MRI technique to better find and measure dangerous plaque in the neck arteries for people at risk of stroke.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11307118 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I take part, doctors will use a special MRI approach called quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) together with standard multi-contrast MRI to look closely at plaque in the carotid artery. QSM helps tell apart blood breakdown products that raise stroke risk from calcified areas that lower risk, which standard images can sometimes misread. The team plans to combine these plaque features with how narrow the artery is to more accurately predict which plaques are likely to cause embolic stroke. When possible, imaging findings may be compared with surgical tissue or clinical outcomes to confirm which features indicate higher danger.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with known carotid artery narrowing, prior transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke, or those being evaluated for carotid revascularization are the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: People without carotid disease, those with implanted devices or other contraindications to MRI, or whose care doesn't involve plaque evaluation are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help doctors better identify high-risk carotid plaques so the right people get preventive procedures and fewer strokes occur.
How similar studies have performed: Early research suggests QSM can distinguish blood products from calcification better than conventional MRI, but large clinical studies proving improved stroke prediction are still limited.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nguyen, Thanh D — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Nguyen, Thanh D
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 below.