ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Imaging biomarker

An imaging biomarker is like a special tool that helps doctors take pictures of your insides to see if there are any problems. Just like how your mom uses a camera to take pictures of you at your birthday party, doctors use machines like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs to take pictures of your organs, bones, and tissues. These special machines can see things that our eyes cannot.

After taking the pictures, doctors look for specific signs or patterns in the images that might suggest a problem or disease. For example, in someone with arthritis, doctors might look for signs of inflammation or changes in the shape of the joints. These signs can help doctors figure out what's wrong, how advanced the problem is, and how well treatments are working.

Think of it like a treasure map. Once doctors find the X on the map (the imaging biomarker), they can start digging to find the treasure (the disease or condition). It's a very important tool that helps doctors take better care of their patients.