Mapping the energetic pathways of the brain: Ultra-high-field MRI of cerebral oxygen and glucose utilisation

In the healthy adult brain approximately 90% of its energy is produced via oxidative metabolism of glucose, with the remaining 10% produced via non-oxidative metabolism of glucose. Uncoupling in the ratio of oxygen-to-glucose utilisation is a hallmark of cancer and is fundamental to brain development, ageing, and neurodegeneration. In this fellowship I will develop non-invasive methods for mapping brain oxygen-to-glucose utilisation and tissue oxygen availability using ultra-high field magnetic resonance imaging. The ability to image these fundamental aspects of brain physiology is expected to have a significant impact on our understanding of brain function, and will provide vital information for tracking disease progression and treatment response. For example, the ability to make a comprehensive assessment of brain physiology post cancer treatment is anticipated to greatly enhance our ability to detect disease progression and provide swift rescue therapy.