Comprehensive Assessment of MR-Phenotypes and Incidental Findings in the KORA-FF4 Population-based Cohort Study

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Fabian Bamberg; Professorin Dr. Annette Peters; Professor Dr. Christopher Schlett; Professor Dr. Christian Wachinger
• Subject Area: Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy, Radiobiology ; Epidemiology and Medical Biometry/Statistics
• Term: from 2013 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 245222810

The objective of this grant application is the comprehensive assessment of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and incidental findings in the KORA-FF4 population-based cohort study. We propose to build on our existing MRI data from the whole-body assessment of 400 study subjects and extend our data analysis with a focus on advanced MR-features and computational analyses for comprehensive assessment of (pre-)diabetic disease states and extensive analysis of incidental findings with respect to their relevance for study participants' health and the outcome of epidemiological research. Specifically, the aims of our study are: (1) To determine differences in advanced MR phenotypes of subclinical disease states in subjects with diabetes, prediabetes, and healthy controls. MR phenotypes will include liver volume and hepatic iron deposition, as well as epicardial fat, left ventricular strain analysis, cardiac T1-mapping, and pulmonary artery and aortic diameter analysis. We expect that there will be increased and varied subclinical cardiovascular and metabolic disease burden as evidenced by these advanced imaging parameters in subjects with prediabetes and diabetes in comparison to healthy controls. The extent and exact nature of these changes will provide insights into the underlying patho-mechanisms and progression of these conditions. (2) To develop an automated analysis of computational image features of the liver parenchyma using radiomics-based strategies in order to identify markers of early liver damage beyond established imaging markers and to differentiate diabetic disease states. We hypothesize that the development of novel biomarkers will allow stratification of prediabetic subjects with a potential impact on targeted intervention and disease progression. (3) To assess the effect of incidental finding reporting on medical consequences, psychological burden, and morbidity and mortality outcomes in the KORA MRI study. We hypothesize that there will be measurable distress in participants waiting for an incidental finding report and especially after disclosure of the finding. Morbidity outcomes will be increased after MRI examinations and reporting of incidental findings but mortality will not due to adequate follow-up examinations and therapies.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants