Imaging brain energy use in multiple sclerosis with a new imaging method
Official title: Imaging Cerebral Metabolic Alterations in Multiple Sclerosis using Deuterium MRI
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11449668 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new MRI-based method will non-invasively measure how the brain uses glucose and ketones in people with multiple sclerosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $618,001 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS146233-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11449668 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with multiple sclerosis or those who could undergo metabolism-focused imaging in future clinical applications (pending translation from preclinical models).
✕Less likely to help
Patients with MS who cannot undergo MRI-based metabolic imaging or whose disease biology does not involve altered brain energy metabolism may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to develop and test deuterium metabolic spectroscopy and imaging to visualize brain energy use in MS. Researchers will use metabolic tracers to map how glucose and ketone metabolism changes during lesion development, recovery, and treatment in preclinical MS models. The work focuses on translating a novel imaging approach so clinicians can better predict disease progression and response to therapy. If successful, the method could become a tool to guide future MS care and trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the technique works, patients with MS could benefit from more precise monitoring of brain metabolism and smarter treatment decisions.
How similar studies have gone: Similar metabolic imaging approaches have shown promise in preclinical MS research, but this exact deuterium metabolic imaging method is novel in this context.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guglielmetti, Caroline — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Guglielmetti, Caroline
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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.