New study tests MRI as a safer way to find brown fat

NCT ID NCT02237872

Completed Diagnosis Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether MRI can detect brown adipose tissue (brown fat) as accurately as PET scans, which use a radioactive tracer. Eight healthy adults had both scans under mild cold conditions. The goal is to see if MRI, which avoids radiation, could replace PET for brown fat detection in future obesity research.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

What this could lead to: If MRI proves accurate, it could offer a safer, radiation-free way to detect brown fat, which may help in obesity research.
What could go wrong: This is a tiny pilot study with only 8 people, so results may not apply widely. MRI might not match PET's accuracy.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for BROWN ADIPOSE TISSUE are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Obesity obesity disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

BROWN ADIPOSE TISSUE OBESITY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Biomedical Research Imaging Center

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599-7513, United States
Biomedical Research Imaging Center

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.