Mapping oxidative and non-oxidative glucose metabolic rates of entire human brain using quantitative dynamic deuterium MRS imaging at 7T

Motivation: Cerebral glucose metabolism via non-oxidative and oxidative pathways is critical for brain function, however, methods capable of quantitatively imaging metabolic rates are lacking. Goal(s): To develop a quantitative dynamic deuterium (2H) MRSI (DMRSI) method capable of mapping human brain glucose metabolic rates. Approach: Combining novel hardware and advanced post-processing method with kinetic models, we established a high-resolution, high-quality dynamic DMRSI capable of quantifying and imaging three metabolic rates of glucose consumption (CMRGlc), lactate generation (CMRLac) and TCA cycle (VTCA) in human brain at 7T. Results: We demonstrate consistent whole-brain maps of CMRGlc, CMRLac, VTCA in health subjects. Impact: We developed a novel DMRSI platform on an FDA-approved clinical 7T scanner that enables simultaneous high-resolution imaging of CMRGlc, CMRLac and VTCA of entire human brain for the first time. This novel technology has potential for brain research and translation.