Real-time brain tumor surgery guidance with resting-state brain maps during operation
Official title: Towards intra-operative guidance in brain tumor surgery using real-time resting-state functional MRI
Funded at Neurinsight, LLC · NIH-11418910 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A real-time brain mapping tool using resting-state MRI is being developed to help surgeons guide tumor removal while the patient is in surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Neurinsight, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $822,591 |
| NIH project number | 5R42NS134505-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418910 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with brain tumors undergoing presurgical planning or intraoperative guidance who can benefit from real-time functional brain maps.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without brain tumors or those not undergoing surgery may not benefit from this tool.
What this research studies
This project aims to provide automated, fast analysis of resting-state MRI data during brain tumor operations so surgeons can see functional networks as they operate. It builds on an existing software, TurboFIRE, to map brain connections in real time even when the patient is under anesthesia or moving slightly. The goal is to improve accuracy and safety by showing which brain areas are important to preserve while the tumor is removed. The approach focuses on robustness to movement, physiological noise, and brain shifts that happen during surgery, with quality metrics to guide decisions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the technology could help preserve critical brain functions during tumor surgery and possibly shorten operative times.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work in real-time fMRI analysis shows promise, but there are no FDA-approved real-time rsfMRI tools for intraoperative use yet.
Where this research is happening
-
Neurinsight, LLC
Albuquerque, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dennig, Dieter W — Neurinsight, LLC
- Study coordinator: Dennig, Dieter W
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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.