- MR spectroscopy provides a measure of brain chemistry.
- The most common nuclei that are used are
- 1H (proton)
- 23Na (sodium)
- 31P (phosphorus).
- Proton spectroscopy is easier to perform and provides much higher signal-to-noise than either sodium or phosphorus.
- MRS can be performed within 10-15 minutes and can be added on to conventional MR imaging protocols.
- It can be used to serially monitor biochemical changes in tumors, stroke, epilepsy, metabolic disorders, infections, and neurodegenerative diseases.
- They require interpretation and should always be correlated with the MR images before making a final diagnosis.
