Only 2 spots left

~2 spots leftby Oct 2025

MRI Scans for Chronic Lung Disease

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

+1 other location

Overseen byGrace E Parraga, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: Western University, Canada

Disqualifiers: Ferrous implants, Pacemakers, Claustrophobia, others

No Placebo Group

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Male and female subjects age 18-85 with lung disease will inhale 5ml/kg (patient body weight) hyperpolarized helium and will be scanned using MRI at 3 Tesla, to evaluate the Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC), ventilation defect volume and percent ventilation.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment MRI for chronic lung disease?

MRI for lung imaging has improved significantly, offering both structural and functional assessments without radiation exposure, making it useful for conditions like pulmonary vascular disease and airway diseases. Although its application for chronic lung diseases like COPD and asthma is still under investigation, MRI's ability to provide comprehensive imaging is promising.¹ ² ³ ⁴ ⁵

Is MRI safe for use in humans, especially for lung conditions?

MRI is generally considered safe for humans as it does not involve exposure to ionizing radiation, making it a preferred option for children and young adults who need repeated imaging. It is used for various lung conditions and has been shown to replace many CT scans without losing diagnostic quality.² ⁴ ⁵ ⁶ ⁷

How is MRI used as a treatment for chronic lung disease different from other treatments?

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is unique for chronic lung disease as it provides detailed images of the lungs without using radiation, unlike CT scans. It can help differentiate between various lung conditions and is particularly useful in cases where radiation exposure should be minimized, such as in children or for repeated imaging.² ³ ⁸ ⁹ ¹⁰

Research Team

Grace E Parraga, PhD

Principal Investigator

Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for men and women aged 18-75 with various lung diseases who can hold their breath for 16 seconds, have an FEV1 >25% predicted, and a Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) >25% predicted. Participants must understand the study and consent to join. Exclusions include having metal implants or conditions that prevent MRI use like severe claustrophobia.

Inclusion Criteria

Your FEV1 (a measure of lung function) is greater than 25% of what is expected for someone your age, height, and gender.

Your lung function as measured by Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) should be greater than 25% of what is expected and above 0.5 liters.

I am between 18-75 years old with a diagnosed lung condition.

See 4 more

Exclusion Criteria

You have a device or metal in your body that cannot be taken out, like a pacemaker or surgical staples.

I cannot have an MRI due to having metal implants or a pacemaker.

In the investigator's opinion, subject suffers from any physical, psychological or other condition(s) that might prevent performance of the MRI, such as severe claustrophobia

See 3 more

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Baseline Assessment

Participants undergo medical history review, vital signs check, and full pulmonary function tests

1-2 hours

1 visit (in-person)

MRI Assessment

Participants inhale hyperpolarized helium and undergo MRI scans to evaluate lung function and microstructure

1-2 hours

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in lung function and microstructure over time

5 years

Treatment Details

Interventions

MRI (Imaging)

Trial OverviewThe study tests how well Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) using hyperpolarized helium can show changes in lungs of chronic lung disease patients over time by measuring things like Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC), ventilation defects, and percent ventilation.

Participant Groups

1Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: MRI at baseline and over timeExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Patients with chronic lung disease will undergo pulmonary function tests, hyperpolarized Helium and or Xenon MRI at each visit.

Find a Clinic Near You

Research Locations NearbySelect from list below to view details:

Robarts Research Insitute; The University of Western Ontario; London Health Sciences CentreLondon, Canada

Robarts Research Institute; The University of Western Ontario; London Health Sciences CentreLondon, Canada

Loading ...

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Western University, Canada

Lead Sponsor

Trials

270

Patients Recruited

62,500+

Findings from Research

A 0.55-T MRI system can produce high-quality images of lung diseases, effectively detecting conditions like bronchiectasis and consolidative opacities, with an average acquisition time of 11 minutes.

While MRI showed strong correlation with CT for measuring nodule sizes, it had some limitations in detecting diffuse diseases like ground-glass opacities, indicating that while promising, MRI may not fully replace CT for all lung imaging needs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

T2-weighted Lung Imaging Using a 0.55-T MRI System.Campbell-Washburn, AE., Malayeri, AA., Jones, EC., et al.[2022]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[MRI of interstitial lung diseases: what is possible?].Biederer, J., Wielpütz, MO., Jobst, BJ., et al.[2018]

Low-field MRI (under 1 T) offers significant advantages for lung imaging, including reduced susceptibility effects and increased relaxation times, making it potentially more effective for diagnosing pulmonary diseases.

The lower costs and reduced need for ionizing radiation make low-field MRI a promising option for critical scenarios, such as screening in pediatric patients and pregnant women, while also allowing for functional examinations of lung tissue.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Imaging of the lung using low-field magnetic resonance imaging].Hinsen, M., Heiss, R., Nagel, AM., et al.[2022]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Imaging of pulmonary pathologies: focus on magnetic resonance imaging.Kauczor, HU., Ley-Zaporozhan, J., Ley, S.[2009]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lung Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Technical Advancements and Clinical Applications.Ohno, Y., Ozawa, Y., Nagata, H., et al.[2023]

Lung MRI can replace up to 90% of CT scans, significantly reducing radiation exposure, especially beneficial for children needing frequent lung imaging due to conditions like cystic fibrosis or tumor surveillance.

Respiration-triggered T2-weighted turbo spin-echo sequences are effective for lung imaging in children, while new T1-weighted ultrashort echo time sequences provide high-resolution images similar to CT, enhancing diagnostic capabilities without radiation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The current status and further prospects for lung magnetic resonance imaging in pediatric radiology.Hirsch, FW., Sorge, I., Vogel-Claussen, J., et al.[2021]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lung parenchyma and structure visualisation in paediatric chest MRI: a comparison of different short and ultra-short echo time protocols.Papp, D., Elders, B., Wielopolski, PA., et al.[2023]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

MRI of the lung: non-invasive protocols and applications to small animal models of lung disease.Zurek, M., Crémillieux, Y.[2011]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of pulmonary parenchymal disease by magnetic resonance imaging.Cohen, MD., Scales, RL., Eigen, H., et al.[2015]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Quiet Submillimeter MR Imaging of the Lung Is Feasible with a PETRA Sequence at 1.5 T.Dournes, G., Grodzki, D., Macey, J., et al.[2016]