Metabolic modeling using Deuterium Metabolic Imaging data in healthy, epileptogenic and glioblastoma brain tissue

Motivation: To get insight into altered brain glucose metabolism in epilepsy and glioblastoma. Goal(s): To assess glucose metabolism in glioblastoma, epileptogenic, and healthy brain tissue by analyzing the tricarboxylic acid cycle rate (VTCA) using deuterium metabolic imaging (DMI) and metabolic modeling. Approach: Dynamic DMI data were acquired in five healthy controls, five epilepsy patients and five glioblastoma patients. A metabolic model was used to estimate VTCA across different ROIs. Results: VTCA is lower in glioblastoma tissue than in healthy controls. No difference was found between epileptogenic and healthy tissue or epileptogenic and glioblastoma tissue, although the results depend heavily on assumed Glx pool sizes. Impact: This study demonstrates the potential of deuterium metabolic imaging with metabolic modeling to estimate the tricarboxylic acid cycle rate in brain tissue, providing insights into epilepsy and glioblastoma. Findings could enhance non-invasive diagnostics and individualized treatment strategies.