Deuterium MR Spectroscopy (DMS) identifies altered Glucose Metabolism in the Brain of an Alzheimer Mouse Model at 6 months of age

Motivation: Abnormal glucose metabolism is a key feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Goal(s): To employ Deuterium MR Spectroscopy (DMS) for the non-invasive characterisation of glucose metabolism in the early disease phase of the AD mouse model APP/PS1. Approach: 6 months old APP/PS1 mice were intravenously infused with deuterated glucose and DMS of the brain was applied during 90 minutes, showing signals for HOD, glucose, lactate and glutamine/glutamate. Results: Their average tissue concentration were higher in APP/PS1 than in wild-type mice indicating increased glucose uptake and glycolytic and TCA-cycle activity, reflecting a hypermetabolic cerebral state in early diseased APP/PS1 mice. Impact: Employing the non-invasive potential of Deuterium MR Spectroscopy for the simultaneous assessment of glucose uptake, glycolytic and TCA-cycle activity, we demonstrate a hypermetabolic cerebral state in an early stage Alzheimer's mouse model, which may resemble mild cognitive impairment in humans.