Huntington's Disease (HD) is a complex and devastating neurodegenerative disorder. In this study, we investigated glucose metabolism connectivity in HD using Dynamic Glucose-Enhanced MRI (DGE MRI) in zQ175 KI and R6/2 KI in vivo mice models, revealing the potential of glucose metabolism connectivity as a neuroimaging biomarker.
Our results unveiled distinctive patterns of glucose metabolism connectivity alterations in both zQ175 KI and R6/2 KI mice, highlighting the practicability of DGE MRI for early detection and continuous monitoring of HD-related disruptions, including those in the striatum, dentate gyrus, and thalamic-cortical connections.
Additionally, our study underscores the sensitivity of DGE MRI in capturing metabolic changes within the brain. By quantifying cerebral glucose metabolism, we bridge metabolic alterations with changes in glucose metabolism connectivity, offering a comprehensive view of the progression of HD and potential therapeutic interventions targeting metabolic dysregulation.
In conclusion, our research positions DGE MRI as a novel neuroimaging biomarker for HD, shedding light on glucose metabolism connectivity. This integrated approach enhances our understanding of HD, paving the way for early diagnosis, ongoing disease monitoring, and targeted treatments. HD may face a new era of exploration and intervention through connectivity analysis and metabolic scrutiny.