# Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Glucose Analogs in Stroke

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2021 · $326,049

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The goal of this project is to further develop a novel MR molecular imaging technique for mapping glucose uptake
and to apply this technique for stroke imaging. Glucose uptake is critical for cellular function, and the ability to
assess its alteration in diseases holds great promise in many fields of medicine including neurodegeneration,
traumatic brain injury, tumors, and specifically for this application, stroke. In acute ischemic stroke, a major
therapeutic goal is to rescue the penumbra, i.e., tissue at risk of infarction but can be rescued with timely
intervention. Robust identification of penumbra is crucial because it would potentially expand the therapeutic
window, a major limiting factor in access to acute stroke intervention, and help with patient selection for novel
endovascular therapies and the development of neuroprotective treatments. However, accurate and prompt
imaging of penumbra is still a clinical barrier. We have recently developed a chemical-exchange sensitive spin-
lock (CESL) MRI technique to indirectly detect glucose via the rapid chemical exchange between glucose
hydroxyl groups and water protons. In contrast to direct measurements of glucose, such indirect detection
through water offers substantial sensitivity enhancement, making in vivo mapping of glucose uptake feasible.
Our preliminary results show that in stroke animals, CESL MRI with injection of a glucose analog can quickly
(within several minutes) identify an apparent elevation of glucose uptake in a region adjacent to the ischemic
core. This region of elevated response correlates well with final tissue outcome. While administration of natural
D-glucose leads to hyperglycemia and worsens the ischemic tissue outcome, xylose, an FDA-approved glucose
analog, may help alleviate the harmful metabolic effects and potentially improve the tissue outcome. In Aim 1,
we will further develop xylose-CESL to increase its signal sensitivity for glucose uptake imaging. In Aim 2, we
will study the signal source, sensitivity, and spatiotemporal characteristics of the xylose-CESL signal in ischemic
rat brain. In Aim 3, we will evaluate the efficacy of xylose-CESL for penumbra imaging. Successful completion of
this project will provide a powerful MR molecular imaging tool for acute ischemic stroke, which would immediately
impact preclinical studies and have a great potential for clinical translation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10146493
- **Project number:** 5R01NS100703-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** Tao Jin
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $326,049
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-06-01 → 2023-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10146493

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10146493, Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Glucose Analogs in Stroke (5R01NS100703-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10146493. Licensed CC0.

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