Current Funding

NIH R01-AG038693 (PI: Felix W. Wehrli, Ph.D.)

MRI-Based Assessment of Structural and Mechanical Implications of Osteoporosis

To address the hypothesis that bone mechanical competence can be predicted on the basis of high-resolution MRI in human cadaver specimens comparing mechanical test results with computational biomechanics and apply the methodology to postmenopausal women at risk of fracture by comparing the structural and mechanical parameters with vertebral deformity status.

NIH R21-HD069390 (PI: Felix W. Wehrli, Ph.D.)

MRI-based Method for Quantifying CMRO₂ in Humans

To further develop and implement a new method for quantifying CMRO₂, based on an integrated measurement of arterio-venous oxygen difference via MRI susceptometry and simultaneous quantification of total cerebral blood flow via ungated phase contrast MRI.

NIH R01-HL109545 (PI: Felix W. Wehrli, Ph.D.)

MRI Assessment of Vascular Reactivity

To develop and translate to the clinic novel imaging methodology that enable diagnosis of the earliest stages of disease thereby allowing for lifestyle changes and early intervention in subjects at risk.

NIH R01-AR055647 (PI: Felix W. Wehrli, Ph.D.)

Osteoporosis Treatment Response Assessed by Micromechanical Modeling of MRI Data.

To evaluate changes in bone mechanical competence in early postmenopausal women undergoing mechanical stimulation via image-based computational biomechanics.

NIH R01-AR054439 (PI: Punam Saha, Ph.D.)

Tensor Scale-Based Analysis of Trabecular Bone Images

To apply t-scale based analysis methods to longitudinal and cross-sectional imaging studies for assessing bone quality.

W81XWH-10-1-0714 (PI: David Hackney, M.D., Felix W. Wehrli, Ph.D., Alan Tessler, M.D.)

Magnetic Resonance Characterization of Axonal Response to Spinal Cord Injury

To use high-resolution q-space MR, ultrashort TE (UTE) MR, and inhomogeneous magnetization transfer (IMTR) imaging to determine the nature and extent of axonal damage after cord injury.

NIH R01-AR058004 (PI: X. Edward Guo, Ph.D., Elizabeth Shane, Ph.D., Felix W. Wehrli, Ph.D.)

Clinical Bone Mechanics Using HR-pQCT and μMRI

To examine the accuracy and reproducibility of multi-modality image-based finite-element modeling for assessment of bone mechanical competence.

NIH R01-HL075649 (PI: Emile Mohler, M.D., Thomas Floyd, M.D.)

The Microcirculation in Claudication and Exercise Rehabilitation

To understand the pathophysiology of PAD progression and symptom origin to provide a basis for new noninvasive methods of evaluation and novel therapeutic strategies.

NIH R01-AR053156 (PI: Felix W. Wehrli, Ph.D.)

Structural MRI of Trabecular Bone for Therapy Response Monitoring

To develop novel micro-MRI-based technology suitable to quantify the structural and mechanical consequences of various forms of treatment of patients with metabolic bone disease.

NIH R01-AR050068 (PI: Felix W. Wehrli, Ph.D.)

Bone Water and Mineralization Measured by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

To provide a noninvasive method for probing the intrinsic properties of bone in lab animals and ultimately in humans.

NIH R01-DK075648 (PI: Mary Leonard, M.D.)

Changes in Skeletal Microarchitecture Following Renal Transplantation

To examine trabecular bone volume and micro-architecture using MRI.

NIH T32-EB000814 (PI: Felix W. Wehrli, Ph.D.)

Training in Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging

To train two predoctoral and two postdoctoral basic science trainees in quantitative MRI methodology for a period of two years.

Institute of Translational Medicine and Therapeutics
(PI: Felix W. Wehrli, Ph.D., Mary Leonard, M.D. Alexander Wright, Ph.D.)

Quantifying Bone Mineral Phosphorus in Patients with Osteomalacia by 7 Tesla ³¹P Solid-State MRI

To measure mineral phosphorus content in cortical bone by 3D solid-state MRI of ³¹P in adolescents and young adults with steroid-resistant NS or with X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets and compare the data with healthy controls to evaluate the hypothesis that bone mineral phosphorus is decreased in NS and that the degree of mineralization is positively associated with free vitamin D levels.

Institute of Translational Medicine and Therapeutics (PI: Felix W. Wehrli, Ph.D., Richard Schwab, M.D.)

Implications of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Neurovascular Reactivity Assessed by Time-Resolved MRI Oximetry

To apply a recently developed method in the PI’s laboratory for measuring the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption (CMRO₂) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

NIH K25 EB007646 (PI: Jeremy Magland, Ph.D.)

Real-time feedback MRI for improved reproducibility in imaging biomarkers

To incorporate advanced real-time feedback techniques in MRI protocols in order to increase reproducibility of MR-derived parameters and improve the accuracy and efficiency of a variety of clinical procedures.

Commonwealth of PA (PI: Anna Childress, Ph.D.)

CURE Addiction Center of Excellence: Brain Mechanisms of Relapse and Recovery

To use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and specific probes of reward and inhibition as biomarkers to predict drug use during and after treatment in patients addicted to cocaine, marijuana and prescription opioids.

NIH R21-AR061751 (PI: Dawn Elliott, Ph.D.)

Noninvasive Measurement of Intervertebral Disc Mechanics with MR Elastography

To apply Magnetic Resonance Elastography to measure elastic properties of the disc from intact disc segments and to correlate those properties with degeneration.

NIH R01-AR050052 (PI: Dawn Elliott, Ph.D.)

Disc Mechanics and Altered Loading in Degeneration

To quantify internal AF stress and strain and the effect of degenerative state (reduced NP pressure, AF tears), hydration, and dynamic loading on internal disc mechanics using an integrated experimental and modeling approach.

NIH K25-AR060283 (PI: Chamith Rajapakse, Ph.D.)

Computational Biomechanics for Prediction of Osteoporotic Vertebral Fracture Risk

To develop a multiple regression model composed of mechanical and morphological parameters derived at extremities using finite-element and morphological analysis for the purpose of vertebral fracture prediction.

NIH R03-AR064577 (PI: Chamith Rajapakse, Ph.D.)

Role of Local Strain in Osteogenic Response to Vibration Therapy in Humans

To design a non-invasive high-resolution imaging-based method suitable for analyzing strains at bone’s micro-structural level in humans and application of this technique to determine the role of micro-structural strain distribution in the anabolic response to daily LMMS (low magnitude mechanical stimulation) treatment in patients with renal disease

NIH K25-HL111422 (PI: Michael Langham, Ph.D.)

Surrogate Measures of Endothelial Dysfunction with Integrated MRI

To further develop and evaluate a noninvasive MRI procedure as part of a single one-hour examination to detect early signs of cardiovascular diseases.