Probing transient changes in intracellular-extracellular lactate distribution in the mouse brain during i.v. lactate infusion using dMRS

Motivation: Diffusion-weighted MR spectroscopy can be used to non-invasively assess lactate intracellular-extracellular compartmentation in the brain at equilibrium, but long measurement times may hamper detection of any transient changes. Goal(s): Detecting transient changes in lactate distribution would be invaluable to study lactate dynamics. Approach: We propose to use dMRS to non-invasively detect transient changes in lactate compartmentation induced by intravenous lactate infusion in the mouse brain. Results: we were able to capture transient changes in lactate concentration and distribution in the mouse brain with a time resolution of 6 minutes. Impact: We were able to non-invasively capture transient changes in intracellular-extracellular lactate distribution using dMRS, and it would be invaluable to estimate its vascular fraction and exchange kinetics between compartments to better understand lactate's role in brain function.