title: Key concepts in MR spectroscopy and practical approaches to gaining biochemical information in children.
abstract: Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) provides independent biochemical information and has become an invaluable adjunct to MRI and other imaging modalities. This review introduces key concepts and presents basic methodological steps regarding the acquisition and the interpretation of proton MRS. We review major brain metabolites and discuss MRS dependence on age, location, echo time and field strength.
authors.affiliation: Medical Physics, Medical School, University of Ioannina, P.O. Box 1186, Ioannina, 45110, Greece. astrakas@uoi.gr.
authors.forename: Loukas G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Astrakas
authors.affiliation: Radiology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Argyropoulou
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D066244:Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Central nervous system; Chemical shift; Children; J-coupling; Magnetic resonance spectroscopy; Metabolites