Brain metabolic alterations in murine models of retinal degeneration using parahydrogen-polarized [1-13C]pyruvate MRI.

Motivation: Epidemiological studies have shown that vision impairments, including retinal degeneration, are closely related to cognitive impairments and depression. However, diagnosing neurological diseases without overt neurodegeneration remains challenging with anatomical 1H MRI, highlighting the need for capturing physiological changes. Goal(s): Our goal was to detect brain metabolic alteration in the models of retinal degeneration. Approach: Parahydrogen-polarized [1-13C]pyruvate metabolic MRI was applied in the brain of light-exposed or innate murine models of retinal degeneration. Results: Declined metabolic flux to bicarbonate i.e. oxidative phosphorylation was observed in the brain of retinal degeneration models, associated with serotoninergic abnormality and depression-like behavior. Impact: Hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate MRI revealed metabolic alterations in the brain of murine models with retinal degradation, reflecting serotoninergic activity and behavioral abnormalities often undetected by anatomical 1H MRI in the absence of overt neurodegeneration.