Deuterium metabolic imaging beyond the brain: mapping tissue metabolism across the body

Deuterium metabolic imaging (DMI) is an emerging magnetic resonance technique that enables non-invasive investigation of in vivo metabolism without the use of ionizing radiation. By administering various deuterium-labeled substrates, different metabolic pathways and fluxes can be probed. To date, most DMI studies have focused on cerebral metabolism; however, its application is rapidly expanding to include metabolic processes in other body organs and tissues, as well as non-brain tumors. This review summarizes the current state of in vivo DMI research beyond the brain, covering studies of the liver, non-brain tumors, and other organs, such as pancreas, kidney, and heart. With ongoing methodological developments and increasing emphasis on clinical translation, DMI holds considerable promise as a versatile tool for studying human metabolism and for future clinical implementation.