Precision phenotyping of emphysema in the elderly: a study in diverse adults
Official title: Precision phenotyping of emphysema in the elderly: the MESA Lung Study
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11645204 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will look at CT scans and lung tests in older adults to understand different forms of emphysema and how they relate to health outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 2, 2004 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $227,339 |
| NIH project number | 3R01HL077612-17S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11645204 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults participating in the MESA Lung/MESA Exam 7 who have CT scans and spirometry data available.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without available CT data or who do not have emphysema-related risk factors may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
In this project, researchers will analyze CT imaging and lung function data from a diverse group of older adults to identify distinct emphysema subtypes. They will use advanced techniques to look beyond a single summary measure, exploring how subtypes relate to heart health, hospitalizations, and mortality over time. The study will also collect nasal cells and hair samples to explore gene activity linked to emphysema patterns, aiming to uncover factors that drive progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding emphysema subtypes could lead to more personalized monitoring and management for older adults at risk of COPD- and emphysema-related complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous analyses identified multiple emphysema subtypes on CT and linked them to different outcomes, suggesting this approach can yield meaningful insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barr, R Graham — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Barr, R Graham
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Lithium as a potential disease-modifying treatment for emphysema using a precision approach
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Imaging and multi-omics to find subtypes of emphysema in COPD
This project looks for molecular subtypes of emphysema in COPD by combining imaging with blood and tissue data to improve understanding and treatment options.
-
Precision phenotyping of emphysema in the elderly: the MESA Lung Study
Aging adults with or without COPD-related symptoms may benefit from a new study that maps subtypes of emphysema on CT scans to better predict health risks.
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E-cigarette use and emphysema risk in young adults (VapeScan)
A study to understand whether vaping or traditional cigarettes cause early lung damage in young adults.
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Researchers will look at how losing a type of lung blood-vessel progenitor cell may make lungs age faster and increase emphysema risk in adults.
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Immune cells blocking lung repair stem cells in emphysema
This project looks at how immune cells in the lungs may stop repair stem cells after viral infections in people with emphysema.
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.