Imaging the metabolic profile of the normal appearing brain in patients with brain metastases using hyperpolarized [1-13C]-pyruvate MRI

Motivation: The metabolic profile of normal appearing brain tissue in patients with brain metastases may be related to the course of disease. Goal(s): To test whether patients with brain metastases exhibit differential metabolism in normal appearing brain parenchyma compared to healthy control participants. Approach: Hyperpolarized [1-13C]-pyruvate and T1w MRI were used to compare the metabolism and volumes of normal appearing brain regions in patients and healthy control participants. Results: The lactate-to-bicarbonate (p=0.0004) and lactate-to-pyruvate (p=0.04) ratios were significantly increased in the normal appearing brain parenchyma of patients compared to controls. Impact: The metabolic profile of normal appearing brain parenchyma in patients with brain metastases exhibits significantly increased glycolytic metabolism compared to healthy control brains when imaged using hyperpolarized [1-13C]-pyruvate MRI and may be related to the course of disease.