How the brain uses glucose in healthy people and those with rare metabolism disorders

Researchers want to understand how the brain uses glucose (sugar) for energy, especially in people with Glut1 deficiency — a rare genetic disorder that affects how glucose gets to the brain. This study uses advanced MRI brain scans and a special type of glucose labeled with a tracer to track how the brain processes and uses glucose.

Glut1 deficiency is a rare condition where the brain cannot properly access glucose, which can cause seizures and other problems. This research aims to better understand exactly how glucose metabolism goes wrong in affected people, which could lead to better treatments in the future.