Testing a new MRI breathing scan versus standard lung tests

Researchers are evaluating a new way to measure how well your lungs work using MRI machines — a type of imaging that uses magnetic fields instead of radiation. They want to see if this new 3D magnetic resonance spirometry method gives the same reliable information as the standard breathing tests your doctor may already use. This study will compare results from healthy people, people with asthma or COPD, and people who have had lung transplants.

Standard lung function tests have been around for decades, but they have limitations — they rely on your effort during the test and can be uncomfortable for some patients. This new MRI-based approach could offer a gentler, more detailed way to measure lung function without radiation exposure, which might be especially helpful for people with serious lung conditions or those who have received lung transplants.