Quantification of downstream metabolites in healthy participants using 7T DMI following [2H2] glucose and [2H7] glucose ingestion

Motivation: Most Deuterium Metabolic Imaging (DMI) studies have employed doubly labelled D2-glucose, but fully labelled D7-glucose produces higher deuterium concentrations in the brain, providing higher signal-to-noise-ratio measurements and additional information about metabolism. Goal(s): We carried out a detailed comparison of 7T DMI measurements in the brain in 15 participants who ingested either D7-glucose or D2-glucose. Approach: 3D 2H CSI data was acquired at 7T at natural abundance and then every 15 minutes for ~65- minutes following ingestion of 0.75 g/kg of labelled glucose. Results: Larger signals and concentrations were measured following D7-glucose ingestion, D7/D2 signal ratios were explained by differing numbers of labels. Impact: Deuterium metabolic imaging (DMI) using labelled glucose forms a powerful tool for mapping glucose metabolism. D7-glucose produces higher deuterium concentrations in the brain, providing a higher signal-to-noise-ratio that would be valuable in studies of metabolism in health and disease.