# Diagnosis of indeterminate brain lesions using MRI-based machine learning and polygenic risk models

> **NIH NIH R01** · MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER · 2021 · $623,080

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
In 2017 an MRI was performed at a rate of over one for every 10 US residents. The majority of these were
brain MRIs. Indeterminate mass lesions are present on over 1% of brain MRIs in individuals over 45 years old.
Misinterpretation of brain MRI can lead to significant iatrogenic morbidity and mortality. For example,
tumefactive Central Nervous System Inflammatory Demyelinating Disease (CNSIDD) is commonly
misdiagnosed as a malignancy, even following pathological review. This results in inappropriate brain biopsies,
debulking and radiation. While early tumor resection is associated with favorable outcome in patients with high-
grade glioma, observation, biopsy at an alternate site or nonsurgical options are often more appropriate for
other indeterminate mass lesions that can encompass low-grade primary brain tumor, CNSIDD, CNS
lymphoma and brain metastasis. Thus, to prevent iatrogenic morbidity, there is a critical need for scalable and
reproducible methods to distinguish CNSIDD from other brain lesions, and to accurately diagnose brain tumors
prior to biopsy. We recently published a polygenic risk model demonstrating that the 25 known glioma germline
risk variants can estimate absolute and lifetime glioma risk. The clinical significance of these models is driven
by germline variants that are associated with >4-fold increased risk of glioma. We have also shown that the
same 25 germline variants can predict glioma molecular subtype. As a complementary approach, we have
shown that imaging characteristics differ across glioma, CNSIDD, CNS lymphoma and brain metastases. We
have successfully utilized MRI-based machine learning to predict the molecular subtype in high-grade glioma.
We hypothesize that both germline genotyping and MRI-based machine learning provide an opportunity to
diagnose indeterminate mass lesions as well as predict glioma molecular subtype prior to surgery and thus
personalized treatment. The project has the following three aims: Aim 1: Develop and validate a MRI-based
machine learning model to differentiate adult diffuse glioma from tumefactive CNSIDD, CNS lymphoma and
solitary brain metastases of unknown primary. Aim 2: Evaluate sensitivity and specificity of the polygenic
glioma risk model to differentiate adult diffuse glioma from tumefactive CNSIDD, CNS lymphoma and solitary
brain metastases. Aim 3: Integrate the polygenic glioma subtype model and MRI-based machine learning
model to predict adult diffuse glioma molecular subtype and validate the integrated model using a prospective
cohort. The proposed project will further enhance the care of patients by determining if an early MRI lesion is
actually a glioma. Early definitive surgery in these patients could be curative.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10224946
- **Project number:** 5R01NS113803-02
- **Recipient organization:** MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** JEANETTE E ECKEL PASSOW
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $623,080
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-08-15 → 2025-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10224946

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10224946, Diagnosis of indeterminate brain lesions using MRI-based machine learning and polygenic risk models (5R01NS113803-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10224946. Licensed CC0.

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