Using Deuterium MRI to examine brain metabolism in Alzheimer's Disease
Official title: Imaging cerebral metabolic impairment in AD using Deuterium MRI
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11016962 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to take pictures of how the brain uses energy in people with Alzheimer's Disease, which could help us understand the disease better and find new treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $615,641 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG080981-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11016962 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.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of dementia not related to Alzheimer's may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a new imaging technique called deuterium metabolic imaging (DMI) to assess how Alzheimer's Disease affects brain metabolism. By using a stable isotope, this method aims to provide a clearer picture of metabolic processes in the brain, which could lead to better understanding and treatment of the disease. Unlike traditional imaging methods, DMI offers insights into glucose metabolism beyond just glucose uptake, potentially revealing critical information about disease progression. This innovative approach seeks to overcome the limitations of existing imaging techniques, making it a promising tool for studying Alzheimer's.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic tools and treatment strategies for patients with Alzheimer's Disease.
How similar studies have gone: While deuterium MRI is a novel approach, similar imaging techniques have shown promise in other areas of metabolic research.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gordon, Jeremy William — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Gordon, Jeremy William
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.