A new MRI tool for measuring metabolism
There is evidence that MS is associated with changes in how the brain uses glucose – its main energy source. And this could contribute to the loss of nerves in progressive MS. But current techniques to measure glucose metabolism in people with MS are limited. And they often need specialist equipment or exposure to radiation.
Dr Tomasz Matys and his team have developed a new method called deuterium metabolic imaging. This involves people drinking a drink containing glucose. The glucose is tagged with a compound called deuterium, which shows up on a regular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. This allows researchers to follow the journey glucose makes in the brain and understand how it’s being used.
About the project
In this project, Dr Matys and his team will use this new technique to study glucose metabolism in people with progressive MS.
They’ll recruit 30 people with MS and 5 people without MS. Each person will drink a sugary drink containing deuterium and then have an MRI scan. The researchers will look at glucose metabolism and see if there are differences between people with and without MS.
How will it help people with MS?
This is the first time this method has been tested in people with MS. This small ‘proof of concept’ study will tell researchers if using this technique in people with progressive MS is feasible. And provide data to further develop it for use in the clinic. It will also add to our understanding of how glucose metabolism differs in people with progressive MS.
Ultimately, this could be used to help diagnose MS earlier and predict how someone’s MS might develop. It could also help clinicians to select the right treatment and monitor how people respond to treatments.
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