Precision phenotyping of emphysema in the elderly: the MESA Lung Study
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11311266 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
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) | $1,394,105 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL077612-17 |
| Project ID | NIH-11311266 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults who are part of the MESA Lung study or who meet criteria for emphysema subtypes identified in prior CT analyses and are willing to provide nasal and hair samples.
✕Less likely to help
People not meeting the CT-based emphysema subtype criteria or those not participating in follow-up assessments may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project follows older adults in the MESA Lung cohort to look at different emphysema patterns seen on CT scans. It uses non-contrast CT scans, breathing tests, and oxygen saturation measurements to identify emphysema subtypes and track how they change over about 11 years. Researchers will also collect nasal brushings and hair follicles to explore gene expression related to these subtypes. The goal is to understand how specific CT-based subtypes relate to hospitalizations and mortality, which could inform future care for people with emphysema or related lung conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could improve how doctors predict risk and tailor treatments for older people with emphysema.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work showed reproducible CT-based emphysema subtypes and their link to outcomes, with ongoing efforts to validate progression and prognosis.
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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Precision phenotyping of emphysema in the elderly: a study in diverse adults
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.
-
Lithium as a potential disease-modifying treatment for emphysema using a precision approach
A low-dose lithium approach is being studied to slow or modify emphysema in smokers who have COPD.
-
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.
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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.
-
Loss of lung blood-vessel stem cells that may speed lung aging and raise emphysema risk
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.
-
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.