Investigating brain energy metabolism in Alzheimer's disease using advanced imaging techniques
Official title: Simultaneous PET/MR Imaging of Brain Glucose and Oxygen Metabolism to Assess Energy Deficits Related to Alzheimer's Disease and the Response to Intervention
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11061119 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brain's energy use changes in people with Alzheimer's and similar conditions, using special imaging techniques to see how well the brain is using sugar and oxygen, and it hopes to find ways to improve brain function with dietary supplements.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | March 26, 2024 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $432,482 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS131235-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11061119 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias, particularly those experiencing cognitive decline.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of dementia unrelated to Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how energy metabolism in the brain is affected in individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. By using a combination of positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the study aims to noninvasively measure glucose and oxygen metabolism in the brain during a single imaging session. This approach will help identify metabolic dysfunctions that may contribute to cognitive decline and assess the effectiveness of potential interventions, such as ketogenic dietary supplements, aimed at improving brain energy production.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment options for patients with Alzheimer's disease, potentially improving their cognitive function and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in using imaging techniques to study brain metabolism, but this specific combination of PET and MRI for Alzheimer's disease is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wehrli, Felix W — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Wehrli, Felix W
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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.