Reducing head-movement blur in brain MRI scans
Development of motion correction algorithms for functional MRI data using a custom simultaneously excited multi-slice MRI acquisition with prospectively injected motion
This project develops new scanning tricks and software to reduce the blur and errors caused by head motion in functional brain MRI for people who get these scans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11261746 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are improving a method called SLOMOCO that fixes slice-by-slice head motion in fMRI images. They will collect specialized MRI data using a modified sequence (SIMPACE) on ex-vivo/cadaver brain phantoms with injected motion and with simultaneously excited multi-slice (SMS) acquisitions to mimic real scan patterns. The team will refine the slice-wise motion-correction pipeline and develop an intra-motion quality index to flag problematic data. These steps aim to make fMRI results clearer and more reliable for future patients and research studies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project does not enroll patients; it focuses on ex-vivo brain phantoms and algorithm development at a research site.
Not a fit: Patients needing immediate clinical care or those who receive non-fMRI imaging (for example CT or standard structural MRI) are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make fMRI scans more accurate and reliable, improving diagnosis and research that depend on brain MRI data.
How similar studies have performed: The team previously developed SLOMOCO and showed slice-wise correction on cadaver datasets, but applying these methods with SMS acquisitions and broader clinical testing is novel.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shin, Wanyong — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Shin, Wanyong
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.