Noninvasive breathing imaging to guide care for people with muscular dystrophy
Official title: Noninvasive Phenotyping of Respiratory Function in People with Muscular Dystrophies Using Electrical Impedance Tomography
Funded at Colorado State University · NIH-11415735 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A noninvasive imaging tool called electrical impedance tomography (EIT) will be studied to help decide when to start noninvasive ventilation for people with muscular dystrophy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Colorado State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Collins, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $581,202 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL175869-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415735 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with muscular dystrophy who experience respiratory muscle weakness and may require or soon require noninvasive ventilation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without muscular dystrophy or without respiratory involvement are unlikely to benefit from this study.
What this research studies
People with muscular dystrophy often develop breathing problems as their muscles weaken. This project tests a real-time, air-timing imaging method (EIT) that does not require masks or sleep settings to see how well the lungs are working at rest and during breathing. By comparing EIT data with traditional tests, doctors may get clearer, earlier signals to start ventilator support when needed. The goal is to make monitoring easier and more comfortable, especially for kids and adults who cannot complete standard tests. If successful, this approach could become a bedside tool to personalize respiratory care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with muscular dystrophy could receive more timely and personalized guidance on when to begin breathing support.
How similar studies have gone: Previous small studies support the potential of EIT as a noninvasive monitoring method, but broader validation in muscular dystrophy is needed.
Where this research is happening
-
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mueller, Jennifer Lynn — Colorado State University
- Study coordinator: Mueller, Jennifer Lynn
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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.