DETECTION OF PSYCHOACTIVE-DRUGS USING F-19 MR SPECTROSCOPY

In vivo F-19 resonance spectroscopy measurements of trifluorinated neu roleptics (fluphenazine and trifluoperazine) and later trifluorinated antidepressants (fluoxetine and fluvoxamine) began with animal experim ents in 1983. Using rats which have been treated with high oral doses of fluphenazine over a period of three weeks in the beginning of these experiments the measurement time was very long (up to 10 h). The appl ication of better techniques using surface coils led to marked improve ment of the signal Poise ratio and measurement times in animal experim ents could be reduced to minutes. These results encouraged us and othe r groups to perform experiments in humans to detect and try to estimat e brain levels of trifluorinated neuroleptics and antidepressants. The present data of several research groups demonstrate that F-19 MR spec troscopy has the potential of becoming a valuable tool for monitoring drug levels at the site of action. The extension of the animal studies to humans might facilitate a better treatment of schizophrenic and de pressive patients.