NUCLEAR-MAGNETIC-RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY - A REVIEW OF NEUROPSYCHIATRIC APPLICATIONS

1. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a powerful new neuropsychi atric research tool which allows for the noninvasive investigation of in vivo biochemistry. This review focuses on the recent applications o f MRS to in vivo neuropsychiatric research. 2. The history of MRS as i t has progressed from an bt vitro method of biochemical analysis to it s current in vivo research uses is presented. 3. A brief overview of t he physical priniciples of MRS, including methods for spectral localiz ation, is discussed. 4. Applications of the different MRS modalities ( H-1, P-31, F-19, Li-7, C-13 and Na-23) to various neuropsychiatric dis orders such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, affective disorders , acquired immunodeficiency disease, etc, are reviewed. The study of b oth fluorinated neuroleptics and the antidepressant fluoxetine using F -19 MRS are discussed in greater detail. 5. Finally, potential future neuropsychiatric applications of MRS and specifically F-19 MRS are pre sented.