Using advanced MRI to assess kidney health in donors, recipients, and healthy individuals

Multiparametric MRI in a Prospective Cohort of Living Kidney Donors, Recipients, and Healthy Controls: Correlations With Markers of Renal Function, Fibrosis and Ageing

Observational Aalborg University Hospital · NCT06210555

This study is testing if advanced MRI scans can help check kidney health in living kidney donors, transplant recipients, and healthy people without needing a biopsy.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment96 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
SponsorAalborg University Hospital Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Aarhus, Central Jutland and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06210555 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to explore the use of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) to evaluate renal fibrosis and function in living kidney donors, transplant recipients, and healthy controls. By employing various MRI techniques, the study seeks to provide a non-invasive alternative to renal biopsies, which are currently the gold standard for assessing kidney fibrosis. Participants will undergo MRI scans to measure different biophysical properties of kidney tissue, potentially leading to better monitoring of renal health and outcomes. The study will include a prospective cohort to gather comprehensive data on kidney function and fibrosis over time.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include living kidney donors, recipients of living donor kidneys, and healthy individuals with normal kidney function.

Not a fit: Patients with contraindications to MRI or severe claustrophobia may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a non-invasive method for monitoring kidney health, reducing the need for invasive biopsies.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies using mpMRI in other contexts, this specific application in living kidney donors and recipients is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Living kidney donors and transplant recipients:

Inclusion Criteria:

* Approved as a living kidney donor or recipient of a kidney from a living donor.
* Able to cooperate to an MRI examination

Exclusion Criteria:

* Contraindications to MRI due to incompatible foreign objects.
* Severe claustrophobia

Healthy controls:

Inclusion Criteria:

* Office BP \< 140/90 mmHg. (use of 1 antihypertensive drug allowed)
* Normal eGFR. (CKD-EPI)
* Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio \< 30 mg/g.
* Dipstick negative for hematuria and proteinuria.
* Able to cooperate to an MRI examination.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Contraindications to MRI due to incompatible foreign objects.
* Severe claustrophobia.
* Pregnancy.
* Condition(s) that would exclude living kidney donation.

Where this trial is running

Aarhus, Central Jutland and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Kidney TransplantationMultiparametric Magnetic Resonance ImagingLiving DonorsRenal FibrosisSenescenceMRIMultiparametricRenal transplantation
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.