Using imaging to identify muscle changes in ALS patients
Official title: Relaxivity Contrast Imaging as Biomarker of Muscle Degeneration in ALS
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-10933524 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new imaging method to take clearer pictures of muscle changes in people with ALS, which could help doctors track how the disease is progressing and see how well treatments are working, making it easier to find the best care for you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $627,541 |
| NIH project number | 5R61NS119642-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10933524 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) who are participating in clinical trials for new therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other neuromuscular disorders or those not diagnosed with ALS may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new imaging technique called relaxivity contrast imaging (RCI) to detect early changes in muscle structure in patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). By capturing detailed images of muscle fibers, the study aims to provide a more sensitive and non-invasive way to monitor disease progression and treatment response compared to traditional methods. This could help in identifying effective therapies more quickly and accurately, ultimately improving patient care. The research will involve ALS patients undergoing imaging assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of this new approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier and more accurate detection of treatment responses in ALS, potentially improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Similar imaging techniques have shown promise in other neurological conditions, suggesting potential success for this novel approach in ALS.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Quarles, Christopher Chad — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Quarles, Christopher Chad
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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.