Non-invasive mapping of brown adipose tissue activity with MRI

Motivation: Through non-shivering thermogenesis, brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays a critical and beneficial role in obesity and metabolic diseases. Goal(s): In this study, we developed non-invasive creatine CEST (CrCEST) MRI of adipose tissues for mapping BAT activity in both rodents and humans given to creatine’s important role in bioenergetics. Approach: We observed by CrCEST MRI that the changes in BAT activity in rats and human after drug administration and/or cold exposure were in good agreement with traditional 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging. Results: The results of this study demonstrated CrCEST MRI as an endogenous, non-invasive, and radiation-free method for in vivo mapping of BAT activity. Impact: In this study, endogenous CrCEST MRI of adipose tissues was developed and found to serve as an imaging biomarker for BAT activity, the diagnosis of metabolic diseases, and the evaluation of new therapeutic strategies in a longitudinal and non-invasive means.