Quiet, motion‑proof MRI for infant brain scans
Motion Robust Relaxometry for Infant Neuroimaging
This project is building faster, ultra‑quiet MRI methods that still give clear brain images when babies move so infants and toddlers (0–2 years) can be scanned while asleep without sedation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11175296 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would help create faster, ultra‑quiet MRI techniques that tolerate head motion and collect 3D images of the infant brain. Researchers will develop and optimize 3D radial imaging and motion‑correction methods, then scan sleeping infants and toddlers without sedation. They will build normal developmental relaxometry maps for ages 0–2 years and compare those templates to scans from infants at risk for or diagnosed with cerebral palsy. The goal is motion‑robust imaging that shortens scan time, reduces noise, and improves detection of early white‑matter injury.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are infants and toddlers (newborn to 2 years), including healthy babies for the normal template and infants at risk for or diagnosed with cerebral palsy, who can be scanned while sleeping.
Not a fit: Children older than 2 years, adults, or infants who cannot safely undergo MRI (for example due to unstable medical conditions or incompatible implants) would not benefit from this infant‑focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make infant brain MRI safer and more comfortable, allow scans without sedation, and help detect abnormal brain development such as white‑matter injury earlier.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have used relaxometry and motion‑correction methods with promising results, but combining ultra‑quiet 3D radial imaging and robust motion correction in sleeping infants is a new application.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alexander, Andrew L — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Alexander, Andrew L
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 below.