Whole-brain deuterium metabolic imaging (DMI) at 7T for depression assessment: A preliminary study in healthy volunteers

Motivation: To achieve whole brain deuterium metabolic imaging (DMI) at 7T for assessing depression. Goal(s): Evaluate 1H/2H dual-tuned head coil performance, implement and optimize the protocol and data processing pipeline in a healthy volunteer study. Approach: Series DMI acquisitions were performed from the baseline (no glucose) to one hour after glucose administration; Glc and Glx concentration was quantified based on natural abundance 2H water. Results: Glc and Glx concentration qualification was achieved in five healthy subjects (one with a repeated scan). Impact: Preliminary results demonstrated the workflow of employing DMI at 7T to analyze patients with depressive disorders.