Using machine learning to improve fetal brain imaging

Enabling the Assessment of Fetal Brain Development and Degeneration with Machine Learning

NIH-funded research Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-11089484

This study is working on new ways to take clearer pictures of your baby's brain while they're still in the womb, using advanced technology to help doctors spot any potential issues more accurately.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBoston Children's Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11089484 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing the assessment of fetal brain development using advanced imaging techniques. It aims to overcome challenges associated with traditional diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI), such as motion artifacts and low accuracy in biomarker estimation. By employing machine learning methods, the project seeks to develop more reliable and efficient ways to analyze fetal brain data, which could lead to better detection of brain abnormalities during pregnancy. This innovative approach could significantly improve our understanding of fetal brain health and development.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant individuals undergoing routine imaging for fetal assessment, particularly those at risk for brain development issues.

Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or those whose fetuses have already been diagnosed with severe brain abnormalities may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier and more accurate detection of fetal brain abnormalities, improving outcomes for affected infants.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise in using machine learning for medical imaging, indicating potential success for this novel approach in fetal brain assessment.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.