Douglas Rothman, PhD
Professor of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging and of Biomedical EngineeringCards
About
Titles
Professor of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging and of Biomedical Engineering
Co-Director MRI Research Center, Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Biography
Dr. Rothman is director of the Magnetic Resonance Research Center (MRRC) at the Yale School of Medicine. The MRRC presently supports the NIH- funded work of more than 70 Principal Investigators, as well as 13 program project grants and center grants. Dr. Rothman has an international reputation as a leader in the development of novel MR methods for the study of brain, liver, and muscle metabolism and function. Among the many MR 'firsts' of his team of bioimaging scientists have been the development of MR methods for imaging glutamate and GABA neurotransmission, brain energy metabolism, and liver and muscle glycogen and glucose metabolism and metabolic control. He is presently supported by two R01 grants, and has served as the primary mentor of six postdoctoral fellows and two students. His postdoctoral fellows have all gone on to faculty positions at major research institutions in the US and abroad. He is a named mentor on five K awards at different levels and is an informal mentor to many other junior and mid-level faculty members in the use of MR technology in their research.
Appointments
Radiology & Biomedical Imaging
ProfessorFully Joint
Other Departments & Organizations
- Bioimaging Sciences
- Dean's Workshops
- Deuterium Metabolic Imaging (DMI)
- Diabetes Research Center
- Fellowship Training
- Magnetic Resonance Research Center
- Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
- MR Core
- Neuroscience Research Training Program (NRTP)
- Quantitative Neuroscience with Magnetic Resonance
- Radiology & Biomedical Imaging
- Radiology Diversity Program
- Yale Biomedical Imaging Institute
- Yale Ventures
Education & Training
- PhD
- Yale University (1987)
Research
Publications
2025
Comment on the Editorial “Embracing the Modern Biochemistry of Brain Metabolism”
Dienel G, Rothman D, Mangia S. Comment on the Editorial “Embracing the Modern Biochemistry of Brain Metabolism”. Journal Of Neurochemistry 2025, 169: e70197. PMID: 40810250, PMCID: PMC12351431, DOI: 10.1111/jnc.70197.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchKetosis elevates antioxidants and markers of energy metabolism: A 1H MR spectroscopy study
van Nieuwenhuizen H, Antal B, Hone-Blanchet A, Lithen A, McMahon L, Nikolaidou S, Kuang Z, Clarke K, Jenkins B, Rothman D, Mujica-Parodi L, Ratai E. Ketosis elevates antioxidants and markers of energy metabolism: A 1H MR spectroscopy study. Biological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience And Neuroimaging 2025 PMID: 40633732, DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2025.06.009.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNeurochemical effectsNeural functionDevelopment of novel treatment strategiesProton magnetic resonance spectroscopyNovel treatment strategiesRs-fMRIGamma-aminobutyric acidMR spectroscopy studiesNeuroactive amino acidsMagnetic resonance imagingEnergy markersH-MRSAcute ketosisKetone monoesterTreatment strategiesBrain metabolitesResting-state functional magnetic resonance imagingFunctional magnetic resonance imagingTotal creatineMarkers of energy metabolismRs-fMRI scansFunctional neuroimaging findingsGlucose drinkPosterior cingulate cortexGlutamine levels1727-P: Reduced Aromatic Amino Acid Suppression during Acute Hyperglycemia in Young Adults with Obesity
MATSON B, GUNAWAN F, ROTHMAN D, MASON G, NEWGARD C, HWANG J. 1727-P: Reduced Aromatic Amino Acid Suppression during Acute Hyperglycemia in Young Adults with Obesity. Diabetes 2025, 74 DOI: 10.2337/db25-1727-p.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCentral nervous systemAcute hyperglycemiaLean controlsBrain glucose levelsMass spectrometry-based metabolomic profilingMeasured plasma amino acidsInsulin resistanceGlucose levelsBranched chain amino acidsPlasma amino acidsDevelopment of insulin resistanceAromatic amino acid levelsChain amino acidsAcid suppressionResponse to hyperglycemiaMetabolomic profilesImpaired suppressionHyperglycemic clampObesityInsulin sensitivityHyperglycemiaNervous systemAmino acid changesBrain glucoseHealthy adults358-OR: Acute Fatty Acid Elevation Does Not Alter Brain Glucose Uptake in Humans
MATSON B, CHANG W, PALMIOTTO J, ROTHMAN D, BELFORT DE AGUIAR R, MASON G, HWANG J. 358-OR: Acute Fatty Acid Elevation Does Not Alter Brain Glucose Uptake in Humans. Diabetes 2025, 74 DOI: 10.2337/db25-358-or.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchElevation of non-esterified fatty acidsNon-esterified fatty acid levelsHyperglycemic clampBrain glucose uptakeCirculating non-esterified fatty acidsBrain glucoseAcute elevationIntralipid infusionInsulin resistanceIntravenous infusion of salineAbsence of insulin resistanceNon-esterified fatty acidsInduce peripheral insulin resistanceHealthy adultsInfusion of salinePresence of hyperglycemiaGlucose uptakeMeasures of insulin sensitivityPeripheral insulin resistanceHigh-fat dietGlucose infusion rateIntravenous infusionPlasma glucoseLean individualsMRS scansA Bird's‐Eye View of Glycolytic Upregulation in Activated Brain: The Major Fate of Lactate Is Release From Activated Tissue, Not Shuttling to Nearby Neurons
Dienel G, Rothman D, Mangia S. A Bird's‐Eye View of Glycolytic Upregulation in Activated Brain: The Major Fate of Lactate Is Release From Activated Tissue, Not Shuttling to Nearby Neurons. Journal Of Neurochemistry 2025, 169: e70111. PMID: 40476345, PMCID: PMC12142580, DOI: 10.1111/jnc.70111.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNeuron-astrocyte interactionsCerebral blood flowMetabolic brain imagingMetabolite of glucoseMetabolic mismatchBlood-borne glucoseActive neuronsAdequate oxygenationNearby neuronsActive tissuesLactate transportBlood flowAerobic glycolysisGlycolytic metabolismIntense sensory stimulationAstrocytesNeuronsTissue pHBrain cellsAstrocytic glycogenBrainSensory stimulationTissueGlycolysisRate of glucoseReduced removal of waste products from energy metabolism takes center stage in human brain aging
Mangia S, DiNuzzo M, Ponticorvo S, Dienel G, Behar K, Benveniste H, Hyder F, Giove F, Herculano-Houzel S, Petroff O, Eberly L, Filip P, Michaeli S, Rothman D. Reduced removal of waste products from energy metabolism takes center stage in human brain aging. Scientific Reports 2025, 15: 8127. PMID: 40057554, PMCID: PMC11890754, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-90342-3.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2024
Resting-state functional MRI of the nose as a novel investigational window into the nervous system
Ponticorvo S, Paasonen J, Stenroos P, Salo R, Tanila H, Filip P, Rothman D, Eberly L, Garwood M, Metzger G, Gröhn O, Michaeli S, Mangia S. Resting-state functional MRI of the nose as a novel investigational window into the nervous system. Scientific Reports 2024, 14: 26352. PMID: 39487180, PMCID: PMC11530622, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-77615-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFunctional MRICentral nervous system integrityAutonomic nervous system innervationNervous system innervationAir-tissue interfaceNervous system integrityNervous system activityAutonomic nervous system activityAwake miceResting-state functional MRIAir intakeAbundant vasculatureCSF spacesNervous systemHeart rateSystem activityMRIBrain vesselsClearance sitesResting-stateSystem integrationHealthy participantsNoseSignal lossBreathing rate12241 Association Between Brain Glucose And Circulating Glucagon Levels In Response To Acute Hyperglycemia
Matson B, Gunawan F, Coppoli A, Jiang L, Rangel E, De Aguiar R, Rothman D, Mason G, Hwang J. 12241 Association Between Brain Glucose And Circulating Glucagon Levels In Response To Acute Hyperglycemia. Journal Of The Endocrine Society 2024, 8: bvae163.674. PMCID: PMC11454728, DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvae163.674.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCentral nervous systemBrain glucose levelsPlasma glucagon levelsHyperglycemic clampType 2 diabetesGlucagon levelsGlucagon secretionGlucose levelsResponse to hyperglycemiaAcute hyperglycemiaOral glucose tolerance testBrain glucose metabolismResponse to central nervous systemPathophysiology of type 2 diabetesResponse to hypoglycemiaBrain glucoseIndices of insulin sensitivityEffect of obesityRegulation of glucagon secretionGlucose tolerance testConsequences of obesityModulating glucagon secretionOvert metabolic abnormalitiesBrain glucose uptakeCirculating glucagon levelsMedial prefrontal cortex neurotransmitter abnormalities in posttraumatic stress disorder with and without comorbidity to major depression
Swanberg K, Prinsen H, Averill C, Campos L, Kurada A, Krystal J, Petrakis I, Averill L, Rothman D, Abdallah C, Juchem C. Medial prefrontal cortex neurotransmitter abnormalities in posttraumatic stress disorder with and without comorbidity to major depression. NMR In Biomedicine 2024, 37: e5220. PMID: 39054694, DOI: 10.1002/nbm.5220.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPosttraumatic stress disorderMedial prefrontal cortexStress disorderPosttraumatic stress disorder patientsPosttraumatic stress disorder diagnosisChronic psychiatric conditionImpact of psychiatric comorbiditiesComorbid MDDPrefrontal cortexDepressive disorderTraumatic stressorsPsychiatric conditionsMDDPsychiatric comorbiditiesNeurotransmitter abnormalitiesConcentrations of glutamateMetabolite abnormalitiesHealthy controlsDisordersPattern of abnormalitiesParticipantsGlutamateIn vivo protonMetabolic abnormalitiesDepressionDeficits in brain glucose transport among younger adults with obesity
Gunawan F, Matson B, Coppoli A, Jiang L, Ding Y, Perry R, Sanchez‐Rangel E, DeAguiar R, Behar K, Rothman D, Mason G, Hwang J. Deficits in brain glucose transport among younger adults with obesity. Obesity 2024, 32: 1329-1338. PMID: 38764181, PMCID: PMC11966602, DOI: 10.1002/oby.24034.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBrain glucose transportLean participantsMarkers of insulin resistanceMagnetic resonance spectroscopy scansEffect of obesityAssociated with alterationsLong-term brain functionCerebral glucose metabolic rateGlucose transportGlucose metabolic rateCardiometabolic comorbiditiesBrain energy utilizationPeripheral markersHyperglycemic clampInsulin resistanceObesityBrain glucose uptakeHuman findingsEating behaviorsYounger ageYoung healthy participantsNeurocognitive functionGlucose transport capacityBrain functionNonesterified fatty acids
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
Impact of Hypoglycemia on Brain Ketone and Neurotransmitter Metabolism in Type 1 DM
HIC ID1208010648RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date09/29/2022Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge18+ years