Clinical trials

The goal of this observational study is to better understand how asthma affects the lungs in young adults (ages 17-35) with mild asthma. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Can advanced imaging detect abnormal airway function in people with mild asthma? * Do changes in ventilation imaging correlate with asthma symptoms or quality of life? Researchers will compare hyperpolarized xenon-129 MRI and Technegas (Tc-99m) imaging to see if these techniques reveal more detailed lung abnormalities than standard lung function tests. Participants will: * Complete a single 2-hour visit * Undergo two types of lung imaging: Hyperpolarized xenon-129 MRI (to visualize how air moves in the lungs), Technegas (Tc-99m) imaging (to assess airflow using nuclear medicine) * Perform spirometry and other breathing tests * Answer questionnaires about asthma symptoms and quality of life This study is designed to improve our understanding of subtle changes in lung function that may not be detected by standard tests in people with mild asthma. The findings may lead to better diagnostic tools and more personalized treatment strategies in the future.

The investigators will apply 129Xenon and/or 3He image acquisition and analysis methods in 200 asthma patient volunteers in order to characterize and probe the relationship between lung structure and function using imaging.

Subjects male and female aged 50-85 with a clinical diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or Bronchiectasis, or those with ≥ 10 pack/years smoking history will be imaged with CT and MRI for the development of tools to quantify and validate longitudinal in vivo magnetic resonance imaging phenotypes of COPD and Bronchiectasis.