AL-27 NUCLEAR-MAGNETIC-RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY AND IMAGING OF THE HUMAN GASTRIC LUMEN

Aluminum NMR is proposed as a new imaging and spectroscopy modality. I ts potential is exemplified by in vivo studies of the human stomach. T he dissolution kinetics of aluminum-containing drugs at physiological doses and their removal from the human stomach have been followed by A l-27 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Aluminum concentrations as low as 0.5 mg Al3+ in the human stomach can be detected. The time cou rse of gastric emptying has been visualized with Al-27 magnetic resona nce imaging (MRI) under normal conditions and in the presence of an an timuscarinic agent, which reduces the gastric motor function. Al-27 MR I is the only direct method to visualize the gastric pH. Al-27 MRI ope ns new possibilities for medical and pharmaceutical science.