# A novel framework for quantifying metabolic brain health

> **NIH NIH DP2** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $1,408,500

## Abstract

Project Summary
An emerging theme in personalized medicine is the central role of metabolic dysfunction in disease and treatment
response. As metabolic changes occur earlier than morphological changes, there are significant and untapped
opportunities to incorporate metabolic markers into medical imaging. While medical imaging is an indispensable
resource for the diagnosis and prognosis of disease, we do not have a way to reliably, repeatably, and non-
invasively image metabolic abnormalities. Despite the mounting evidence that metabolism is involved in disease
onset, treatment response and resistance, and prognosis, crucial metabolic information is left unexplored and
uncharacterized. To facilitate a new paradigm in medical imaging and clinical decision making, I propose the
development of a novel investigative approach termed “metaboloradiomics.” Metaboloradiomics will incorporate
non-invasive metabolic imaging with conventional morphological imaging into a metabolism driven -omics model.
By overcoming the existing challenges of clinical magnetic resonance spectroscopy data collection, analysis,
and integration, combined with a suite of innovative computational tools, my vision is to enable an entirely new
approach to magnetic resonance imaging that will enable researchers and clinicians to routinely characterize the
role of metabolism in disease. The proposed research will facilitate a paradigm shift in magnetic resonance-
based medical imaging and is ideally suited to the New Innovator Award mechanism. These methods will be
applicable to a wide range of diseases, spanning the missions of multiple NIH Institutes and Centers. As a new
investigator, my cross-disciplinary background in chemistry and biomedical engineering, combined with
immersion in a clinical radiology department, has provided me with a unique skillset and specific expertise to
execute this high-risk and high-impact research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10244835
- **Project number:** 1DP2NS127704-01
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Candace C. Fleischer
- **Activity code:** DP2 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $1,408,500
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-30 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10244835

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10244835, A novel framework for quantifying metabolic brain health (1DP2NS127704-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10244835. Licensed CC0.

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