Washington University and Emory researchers have secured nearly $3.2M from the Helmsley Charitable Trust to tackle one of IBD’s toughest challenges: perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease, which affects up to 40% of patients and remains notoriously difficult to treat.
The 3-year project will develop AI and deep-learning tools to interpret MRI scans, define fistula healing more precisely, and predict which patients will respond to therapy — paving the way for more personalized and effective care.