Personalized brain maps from MRI

Individualized spatial topology in functional neuroimaging

NIH-funded research Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11308308

This project will create more personalized brain maps from MRI scans so doctors and researchers can better link brain activity to thoughts, feelings, and behavior.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJohns Hopkins University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-11308308 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This work uses advanced MRI scans and computer models to make brain maps that match your unique brain layout. Researchers compare patterns across many people and use new alignment methods that preserve each brain's overall shape while finding common activity patterns. The goal is to improve how we read brain activity tied to thoughts, feelings, and behavior. You might take part by sharing existing brain scans or by coming in for a research MRI session.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal participants are people willing to share their MRI brain scans or to come to Johns Hopkins for a research MRI session, including healthy volunteers and people with neurological or psychiatric conditions.

Not a fit: People without access to MRI, whose health issues are unrelated to brain function, or who prefer not to share imaging data may not directly benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could produce clearer, more individualized brain markers to help guide diagnosis, predict treatment response, or tailor therapies for neurological and mental health conditions.

How similar studies have performed: Earlier methods such as hyperalignment have shown promise in aligning brain patterns across people, but combining shape-preserving alignment with these techniques is relatively new and still being developed.

Where this research is happening

Baltimore, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.