Next Generation Pediatric Brain Imaging to Make MRI Safer for Kids
Official title: Next Generation Pediatric Neuroimaging (NGPN) Development
Funded at Champaign Imaging, LLC · NIH-11387527 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new technology aims to make pediatric brain MRIs faster and clearer without general anesthesia, helping children with autism have safer, better imaging during clinical care and research.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Champaign Imaging, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Shoreview, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | May 1, 2020 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,580,718 |
| NIH project number | 5R44MH122028-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11387527 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pediatric patients with autistic disorder or related neurodevelopmental concerns who require MRI imaging for clinical care or research participation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients unlikely to benefit would be those who do not require MRI imaging or whose imaging needs cannot be met by the NGPN technology.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on creating advanced MRI hardware, faster imaging sequences, and smarter image reconstruction so kids with autism can have high-quality brain scans even if they move. By reducing motion artifacts and avoiding anesthesia, the project seeks to improve safety and reliability of pediatric neuroimaging for clinical use and research studies. The effort combines new RF coils, transceiver technology, and data processing tools to produce multiple MRI contrasts, including diffusion and functional imaging, in a child-friendly workflow. If successful, clinicians and researchers could better understand brain development and autism-related differences without the risks associated with anesthesia. The work is conducted at Champaign Imaging, LLC, with Curtis Andrew Corum leading the team over a multi-year timeline.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Children could receive safer, more accurate brain scans without anesthesia, aiding diagnosis and monitoring of autism and related conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Prior motion-reduction imaging work has shown promise, but this project aims to advance to anesthesia-free pediatric neuroimaging with new hardware and reconstruction methods.
Where this research is happening
-
Champaign Imaging, LLC
Shoreview, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Corum, Curtis Andrew — Champaign Imaging, LLC
- Study coordinator: Corum, Curtis Andrew
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.