Ultra-precise brain imaging for early Alzheimer's detection using AI
Ultra-precision clinical imaging and detection of Alzheimers Disease using deep learning
This project uses artificial intelligence to make routine brain MRIs more reliable for spotting early Alzheimer's changes in people scanned over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11379278 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you get brain MRIs at different times or at different hospitals, this project aims to use deep learning to remove scanner differences and noise so small changes over time are easier to see. The team is developing methods that treat each scan equally and account for brain shrinkage (atrophy) while handling variations in image contrast, motion, and other scanner distortions. They will test the tools on real clinical and retrospective MRI collections rather than only on perfectly matched research scans. The goal is to create imaging tools that work on the kinds of scans doctors actually order in routine care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with memory concerns or mild cognitive impairment who have had—or can have—serial brain MRIs taken over months or years, possibly at different hospitals or on different scanners.
Not a fit: People without MRI scans, with non-Alzheimer's causes of cognitive problems that do not show on MRI, or who cannot safely undergo MRI will likely not benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help doctors detect Alzheimer's earlier and track progression more accurately using MRIs you already get in clinical care.
How similar studies have performed: Existing tools perform well on harmonized research datasets like ADNI, but applying AI to unharmonized clinical MRI scans is a newer approach with limited proven real-world results so far.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Young, Sean I — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Young, Sean I
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.