Deuterium metabolic spectroscopy and imaging in human at 5T MR system: preliminary study

Motivation: Deuterium MRSI is a promising clinical approach for quantifying metabolic process in human. However, the applicability of DMRSI still remains challenging due to its limited SNR at clinically available 3T. Goal(s): To validate the feasibility and performance of DMRSI on human at 5T. Approach: We built up a multi-nuclei imaging platform based upon a clinically approved human 5T system, and performed in vivo deuterium MRSI. Results: DMRS/DMRSI were successfully acquired at 5T system with good SNR and spectral resolution. 2H-water and 2H-lipid can be clearly distinguished in the DMRSI. Increased whole-brain 2H-Glx level was found in AD patient after oral intake of [6,6'-2H2]-glucose. Impact: This is the first deuterium MRS/MRSI work at a human 5T system, using a home-built multi-nuclei imaging platform. The feasibility of deuterium MRS/MRSI at 5T for clinical applications was successfully validated through in vivo human studies.