APPLICATIONS OF MAGNETIC-RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY TO DIAGNOSIS AND MONITORING OF MITOCHONDRIAL DISEASE

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) can now be performed on routine high-field clinical magnetic resonance imaging systems. Over the last decade it has provided several useful insights into the pathophysiolog y of mitochondrial disorders. More recently, the feasibility of applic ations to clinical diagnosis and monitoring have been demonstrated. Ex citing new work suggests that carefully supervised physical conditioni ng in conjunction with sodium dichloroacetate administration can marke dly enhance both biochemical measures of aerobic metabolism and functi onal performance of patients with mitochondrial myopathies.