Seeing myelin repair in MS with advanced MRI
Imaging remyelination in multiple sclerosis using metabolic and ultra-short echo time MRI
New MRI methods are being tested to spot when people with multiple sclerosis are rebuilding the protective myelin around their nerves.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11249661 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be hearing about MRI methods that look beyond regular pictures to track both brain metabolism and very short‑lived signals from myelin. One approach uses a metabolic tracer (hyperpolarized 13C) to watch lactate and other energy changes that help cells make new myelin, while another (UTE‑MT) aims to measure myelin content directly. The team will first apply these techniques in demyelinating models and early therapy-response experiments, with the goal of translating promising methods to people. If the scans reliably show remyelination, they could be used in future clinical trials and patient monitoring.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with multiple sclerosis—especially those starting or changing remyelination-focused therapies or recovering after relapse—would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People without MS, or those who cannot undergo MRI (for example because of incompatible implants), are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these MRI tools could give doctors a noninvasive way to see myelin repair earlier and tailor or speed up remyelinating treatments for people with MS.
How similar studies have performed: Some preclinical MRI methods have shown promise in animal MS models, and UTE‑MT has demonstrated sensitivity to myelin in mice, but combining metabolic hyperpolarized 13C imaging with UTE‑MT for remyelination is largely novel and not yet tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guglielmetti, Caroline — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Guglielmetti, Caroline
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.