[Application of magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the study of brain disease].
OBJECTIVE
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a non-invasive technique used for the neurochemical study of the brain in vivo. The aim of this work is to review the main investigations that have focused on the study of cerebral pathology.


METHODS
Cerebral MRS studies started in 1983 but the maximum development has been in the 90's. The pathologies more investigated were Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, and depression. Although several nuclei can be observed the most investigated are phosphor (P31) and hydrogen (H1). Nowadays proton MRS is the more frequently used technique. The low levels of N-acetyl-aspartate are a good indicator of neuronal loss. Their determination is complementary to the volumetric structural studies from magnetic resonance imaging. The peak of myo-inositol seems to be a neurochemical marker for the Alzheimer's disease.


CONCLUSIONS
MRS have contributed to the increase of knowledge about the physiopathology of normal aging, degenerative processes, demyelinating and psychiatric diseases. Potentially can contribute to differential diagnose in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Recently it has also been opened a new research potential in the field of the pharmacological treatment effects in discrete cerebral regions.
Pérez-Gómez
M
M
Departamento de Psiquiatría y Psicobiología Clínica, Universidad de Barcelona, España. mpgomez@psi.ub.es
Junqué
C
C
Mercader
J M
JM
Berenguer
J
J
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000378:metabolism; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis
D015415:Biomarkers; D010758:Phosphorus; D001224:Aspartic Acid; D006859:Hydrogen