Dr. Chuck Cunningham contributes to new understanding of the brain

Using metabolic MRI, a non-invasive method of visualizing how energy sources are processed in tissue, MBP scientist Dr. Chuck Cunnignham has illustrated that the brain produces lactate, a bi-product of metabolism, consistently across healthy individuals. Dr. Cunningham and his research colleagues are now using metabolic MRI to determine whether measuring lactate could assist doctors in assessing therapy effectiveness and guide the management of diseases.

This discovery has contributed to a new understanding of how the brain works, leading to clinical applications of metabolic MRI in individuals with conditions such as enlarged hearts, certain cancers and bipolar disorder.

Learn more about this research here.