PET imaging to map heart inflammation and predict arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy risk
Official title: PET Imaging to Define Mechanisms and Stratify Risk in Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy
Funded at Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah · NIH-11432341 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A heart-imaging study using PET scans with a glucose tracer to help predict who with a genetic heart disease might develop dangerous symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $705,239 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL188047-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11432341 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with ACM or carriers of ACM-related mutations, and researchers will use animal models to study mechanisms relevant to humans.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without ACM or related genetic risk would not directly benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This project uses PET imaging with FDG to look for inflammatory cells in the heart of people or models with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. Researchers will combine imaging data with immune profiling and heart function studies in mouse models to understand what the PET signal means for disease risk. The goal is to identify cellular sources of the imaging signal so we can better predict who is at risk and how the disease progresses. The study will integrate advanced imaging, biology, and cardiac physiology to translate findings toward improved risk stratification.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to non-invasive tools that help doctors predict disease progression and tailor treatments for people with ACM.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests FDG uptake is higher in ACM and may relate to immune cell activity, supporting the potential for predictive imaging.
Where this research is happening
-
Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Palatinus, Joseph a. — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Palatinus, Joseph a.
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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.