Figure 1. Study outline.

Experimental timeline of the study. Two-month old male mice received a rTBI using the CHIMERA device or underwent a Sham procedure (no impact). Risk-taking behavior was evaluated at 3 months post-injury using the Elevated Plus Maze. MR imaging was performed 3.5 months after Sham or rTBI, and included HP ¹³C MRSI, T₂-weighted MRI, ${\mathrm{T}}_1$ mapping MRI, and SWI MRI. Tissue was collected 4 months after Sham or rTBI procedures to evaluate PDH and LDH activities, and expression of MCT1 and MCT4. ML analyses methods were used to identify the best classifiers between rTBI and Sham, and the best predictors of the risk-taking behavior and HP ¹³C Lac/Pyr in the cortex.