Assessing and Improving Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Metrics in Human Subjects
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Summary
Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which uses strong magnets to get images of structures inside the body, is a valuable tool in modern medicine. But researchers are always looking for ways to improve this technology. To better understand how to use MRI to diagnose problems, researchers need to collect more data from scans of healthy people. Objective: To get MRI scans of healthy people to improve the measurements doctors can make from the images. Eligibility: People aged 18 years or older in good general health. Design: Participants will be screened. They will have a physical exam focused on their nervous system. They will complete questionnaires. Participants will have at least 1 MRI scan. The target of the scan may be the brain, liver, prostate, breast, or other body part. Before the scan, participants will remove any metallic objects. They will lie on a narrow table that moves into a long, narrow tube. They may have special pads placed around them to help them remain still. Participants will hear loud noises during the scan. They will get earplugs or earmuffs to wear to muffle the sound. They can communicate with the MRI technician and will have an emergency button to squeeze at any time if they want the scan to stop. The scan will take up to 2 hours. Some participants may be asked to perform tasks on a computer screen during the scan. Participants may return for up to 5 scans in 3 months. Some may have as many as 30 MRI visits per year. They may remain in the study for up to 2 years.
Description
Study Description: Biomarkers are of fundamental importance for any clinical endeavor aimed at improving human health. The main objective of this protocol is to discover and investigate quantitative metrics obtained with non-invasive imaging techniques, primarily MRI, that could become potential biomarkers of the anatomical and physiological state of living human tissues, and to improve the experimental design of MRI acquisitions to enable reliable measurement of these quantitative metrics. Objectives: We will develop and optimize novel quantitative MRI (qMRI) techniques on normal, healthy…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–100 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
* INCLUSION CRITERIA: In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria: * Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study * Male or female, aged 18 years of age and older * In good general health as evidenced by medical history * Ability of subject to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document. * Must have had a neurological physical exam as prescribed by NINDS policy. At the time of writing, this is required at least once every 2 years, and record…
Location
- National Institutes of Health Clinical CenterBethesda, Maryland