Testing a new way to read MRI scans to tell glioma types apart
Original title: Comparison of amide proton transfer metrics for IDH genotype discrimination in gliomas at low B1.
How far along is this research?
- Lab cells
- Animals
- Review
- Tested in people
This was tested in people. That is the most reliable kind of research we share.
This was tested on scans of real patients, but it is not yet used in everyday care.
The short version
Researchers tried a new way to read a special MRI scan to learn more about a glioma: A tumor that starts in the glial cells, the support cells of the brain and spinal cord. Gliomas are given a grade from 1 to 4 describing how the tumor is expected to behave. See the glossary without surgery.
What was studied. The team studied 45 people with glioma: A tumor that starts in the glial cells, the support cells of the brain and spinal cord. Gliomas are given a grade from 1 to 4 describing how the tumor is expected to behave. See the glossary. 22 had a gene change called IDH gene change: A small change in a tumor's IDH gene. It is the first thing your team looks at when naming an adult glioma, and it can affect which treatments are offered. Your pathology report says whether your tumor has it. See the glossary and 23 did not. They compared a new way of measuring a special MRI signal with three older ways.
What they found. Only the new way could tell the two tumor groups apart. The three older ways could not do this well. The new way also matched protein levels best in lab tests using egg white.
What this means, and what it doesn't
What it could mean: Someday, an MRI scan might help doctors learn about a tumor's genes before surgery. This could help with planning care.
What it doesn't mean: This was a small study at one scan setting. It does not change how tumors are checked today. Doctors still need tissue tests to know the IDH gene change: A small change in a tumor's IDH gene. It is the first thing your team looks at when naming an adult glioma, and it can affect which treatments are offered. Your pathology report says whether your tumor has it. See the glossary type. This is a scan method, not a treatment, and it is not a cure.
Source: PubMed, September 17, 2026 · Read the original
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