Faster MRI that adds metabolic imaging to spot active brain tumor metabolism
Time-efficient MRI and deuterium metabolic imaging (DMI) through parallel signal acquisition
Combines a new metabolic scan called deuterium metabolic imaging with standard MRI to get faster exams that show tumor glucose activity for people with high-grade brain tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11304586 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would have a routine MRI while the team captures deuterium metabolic imaging (DMI) signals at the same time so the overall scan time does not increase. DMI uses deuterium-labeled glucose to map how tumors process sugar, highlighting abnormal tumor metabolism (the "Warburg effect") with clear contrast. The project develops parallel acquisition methods that insert short DMI measurements into the brief delays present in standard MRI sequences. The goal is a robust, sensitive metabolic image that can be widely used alongside anatomical MRI without making patients stay in the scanner longer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with suspected or diagnosed high-grade brain tumors who can undergo MRI at a participating center.
Not a fit: People without brain tumors, those with conditions not involving altered glucose metabolism, or patients who cannot have MRI may not receive benefit from this method.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could let doctors see tumor metabolism during a routine MRI without extra scan time, improving diagnosis and treatment planning.
How similar studies have performed: Early DMI scans in patients with high-grade brain tumors have shown promising metabolic contrast, but combining DMI in parallel with routine MRI to shorten scan time is a newer technical advance.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: De Graaf, Robin a — Yale University
- Study coordinator: De Graaf, Robin a
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.