Predicting brain aneurysm growth with advanced 4D MRI and tensor math
Official title: Statistical tensor regression models for intracranial aneurysm growth prediction
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11357552 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project uses 4D flow MRI and new math models to predict how brain aneurysms grow over time, helping doctors decide on safer treatments for people with UIAs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $528,579 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS132766-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11357552 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with unruptured intracranial aneurysms who may need monitoring or treatment decisions.
✕Less likely to help
People without UIAs or those not undergoing 4D flow MRI imaging may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to improve how we forecast aneurysm growth using 4D flow MRI data. It will develop a tensor regression framework and enhanced image resolution to predict growth at 24 months and the growth path over five years. The goal is to provide better rupture risk assessments and ongoing information for patients and clinicians planning care. The work combines advanced imaging with machine-learning techniques to translate complex brain blood-flow data into practical risk predictions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could give clinicians a more accurate way to gauge rupture risk and tailor treatments for patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows promise with 4D Flow MRI, but robust prediction models for UIA growth are still being developed.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jiang, Fei — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Jiang, Fei
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how brain aneurysm walls and shape change over time
This project studies how small brain aneurysms grow and whether MRI features of the aneurysm wall and its shape can predict growth so doctors can better decide when treatment is needed.
-
How aging and aged (senescent) cells may cause brain aneurysm rupture
This research tests whether removing aging 'senescent' cells can lower the chance that a brain aneurysm will burst for people with intracranial aneurysms.
-
Reprogramming blood-vessel lining cells in inherited brain aneurysms
This project aims to find out whether fixing gene-related changes in the cells that line brain arteries can lower aneurysm risk in people with a family history.
-
How tiny cell structures (podosomes) may weaken brain arteries and cause aneurysms
Testing whether podosomes — small structures inside blood vessel cells — make brain arteries weaker and raise the risk of aneurysm rupture for people with or at risk of brain aneurysms.
-
How cells' cleanup of vessel attachments may affect brain aneurysms
This project looks at whether a cellular cleanup process in blood‑vessel lining cells weakens brain arteries and contributes to aneurysms in people at risk for intracranial aneurysm.
-
Improved MRI methods to find small brain aneurysms likely to grow
Using improved MRI scans to find inflammation and shape changes that show which small brain aneurysms may grow in people with unruptured aneurysms.
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.