Time-Resolved MRI to map brain oxygen use and airway structure in sleep apnea
Official title: Time-Resolved MRI Method for EEG Assisted Concurrent Mapping of Cerebral Oxygen Metabolism and Airway Structure in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11380678 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A nieuwe MRI method to simultaneously map brain oxygen use and airway changes in people with obstructive sleep apnea.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $637,259 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL172928-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11380678 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea who can undergo MRI scanning and EEG monitoring.
✕Less likely to help
Participants without sleep apnea or those unable to safely participate in MRI/EEG procedures may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to better understand how obstructive sleep apnea affects brain oxygen metabolism and airway anatomy during sleep. Using a novel time-resolved MRI technique, researchers will measure cerebral oxygen use while EEG tracks sleep stages and breathing patterns. By comparing spontaneous sleep apneas to controlled breathing challenges, they hope to reveal how airway collapse relates to brain metabolism and potential neurovascular risks. The study is led by the University of Pennsylvania and builds on prior work done in awake volunteers to extend findings into sleep conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could improve understanding of brain and airway changes in sleep apnea and inform better diagnosis and treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier studies have demonstrated feasibility of MRI-based brain oxygen mapping; this project tests the method during sleep with airway measurements, representing a novel next step.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wehrli, Felix W — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Wehrli, Felix 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.