Using advanced MRI to study lung health in young e-cigarette users
Official title: Dissolved Phase Hyperpolarized Xenon-129 MRI: a novel biomarker to quantify pulmonary pathology in young healthy e-cigarette users
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11130965 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using e-cigarettes affects lung health in young adults by using a special imaging technique to see how well their lungs are working, and it’s for healthy young people who use e-cigarettes and want to understand more about their respiratory health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $739,319 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA059660-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11130965 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young adults who are current e-cigarette users and have no prior history of significant lung disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use e-cigarettes or have pre-existing lung conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of e-cigarette use on lung health in young adults by utilizing a novel imaging technique called hyperpolarized xenon-129 MRI. This method allows for detailed visualization of lung function and pathology that traditional tests may miss. The study aims to identify early signs of lung damage in healthy young e-cigarette users, providing insights into how e-cigarettes affect respiratory health. Participants will undergo imaging to assess their lung function and compare results with non-users.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and early detection of lung issues caused by e-cigarette use, potentially guiding public health recommendations.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of hyperpolarized xenon-129 MRI is a novel approach, preliminary studies have shown promising results in detecting lung dysfunction in similar populations.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shim, Yun Michael — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Shim, Yun Michael
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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.