Non-invasively measuring early lung changes in cystic fibrosis with MRI
Official title: Non-invasively Quantifying Alveolar Remodeling in Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease
Funded at Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · NIH-11383584 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study will use a radiation-free MRI technique to detect early lung changes in people with cystic fibrosis, including children and adults, to help guide ongoing care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,601,013 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL186529-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11383584 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with cystic fibrosis across pediatric to adult ages, including those on HEMT, who can undergo MRI without contraindications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who cannot undergo MRI or do not have CF-related lung changes may not benefit from this imaging approach.
What this research studies
This project will use hyperpolarized xenon MRI to measure ventilation, gas exchange, and alveolar dimensions in CF patients who are on highly effective CFTR modulator therapy. Researchers will track how early lung remodeling develops over a short period and relate it to age and disease severity. The goal is to establish patterns that predict future lung decline before traditional tests show problems. The study will enroll participants across a wide age range and follow them with noninvasive imaging to map disease trajectory.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, doctors could intervene earlier and tailor treatments to prevent lung deterioration in CF patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows MRI can reveal lung changes, but this study focuses on early, fatiguing-free, diffusion-weighted xenon MRI to predict progression.
Where this research is happening
-
Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cleveland, Zackary I — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Cleveland, Zackary I
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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.