Precision PET attenuation correction for heart PET/MR imaging
Official title: Precision PET attenuation correction for combined PET/MR imaging of cardiac sarcoidosis
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11378430 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aimed at improving PET/MR heart imaging by perfecting how PET signals are corrected for tissue, so patients get accurate results in one combined test instead of separate scans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $713,852 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL174554-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11378430 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults undergoing evaluation for cardiac conditions who may benefit from integrated PET/MR imaging.
✕Less likely to help
Patients requiring imaging types not compatible with PET/MR or with implants that severely limit MR compatibility may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project seeks to refine how PET data is corrected for attenuation during simultaneous PET/MR scans of the heart, to match or exceed the accuracy of traditional PET/CT plus MRI workflows. By reducing errors from implants, breathing, and lung signal, the team hopes to deliver precise metabolic information in a single session, lowering patient burden and exposure. The work will integrate external PET sources and patient data into the reconstruction process to improve quantitative accuracy. If successful, clinicians could rely on a single, more accurate exam to guide diagnosis and treatment planning for cardiac diseases. The study is conducted at UT Southwestern with Spencer L. Bowen leading the effort.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Patients could benefit from fewer scans, lower radiation exposure, and more accurate heart disease diagnosis from a single, combined PET/MR exam.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows promise in improving PET/MR image quality, but this approach directly targets attenuation corrections to enhance accuracy in cardiac cases.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bowen, Spencer L. — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Bowen, Spencer L.
Related research
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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.