One MRI scan that measures liver fat, iron, and scarring
Official title: Project 3: A Novel Simultaneous Multiparametric MRI Approach for the Quantitative Assessment of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Funded at University of Hawaii at Manoa · NIH-11372037 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new MRI method uses a single scan to measure liver fat, iron, and scarring for people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Hawaii at Manoa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Honolulu, United States) |
| Project start | March 20, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $373,372 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM139753-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11372037 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with suspected or diagnosed nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) who can safely undergo MRI scans.
✕Less likely to help
People with MRI-incompatible implants, severe claustrophobia, or liver disease unrelated to NAFLD may not be eligible or benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
If you have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, this project uses a single, fast MRI scan to capture several measurements at once—fat content, iron levels, and tissue stiffness linked to scarring. The researchers combine different MRI techniques simultaneously to produce quantitative maps of the liver without routine biopsy. They will compare these MRI results to current standards like magnetic resonance elastography and, when available, biopsy findings to check accuracy. Over time this could allow doctors to track disease progression or response to lifestyle changes and treatments using repeat imaging.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide accurate, noninvasive measures of liver damage and reduce the need for biopsy.
How similar studies have gone: Related MRI tools such as magnetic resonance elastography and MRI proton-density fat fraction have shown promise, but combining multiple quantitative measures in one simultaneous scan is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rettenmeier, Christoph Alexander — University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Study coordinator: Rettenmeier, Christoph Alexander
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Role of fat droplets in liver fat and inflammatory signals in NAFLD
A study at Johns Hopkins will explore how fat droplets in the liver influence molecules that drive inflammation and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adults.
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Them1 Inhibitors to Help Treat Fatty Liver Disease
Aims to develop and test small molecule drugs that block Them1 to help people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
-
How the TET1 gene affects non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Researchers are looking at whether changes in the TET1 gene and DNA 'tagging' (methylation) play a role in adult non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
-
Hepatocellular Genetic Clues for Fatty Liver in Hispanic Adults
A large NIH grant helps researchers study why fatty liver develops in Hispanic adults and how genetics interact with lifestyle to affect risk.
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Toxic fats, vitamin B12 loss, and AHR may drive fatty liver disease
This grant looks at how certain environmental chemicals may trigger liver damage linked to fatty liver disease and how a vitamin found in the blood could be affected.
-
Glutamine and T cells in fatty liver disease
A study explores how liver glutamine levels affect inflammatory CD4+ T cells in fatty liver disease to find potential new ways to reduce liver inflammation.
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.