[MRI and MRS diagnosis. Application in multiple sclerosis patients and research animals with experimental allergic...

MR imaging and spectroscopy offer a noninvasive way to observe lesions and biochemical changes, respectively, that may provide new insights into demyelinating diseases such as MS. Although the role and importance of some of the metabolites, such as choline and N-acetyl aspartate in brain function and disease are not fully understood, the specificity of these changes may provide information about the stage and reversibility of the brain lesions. Animal studies are particularly insightful when MR spectroscopic signals are correlated with histologic and biochemical techniques. Clinical application of spectroscopic imaging could arise from the capability to differentiate between early lesions that might respond to therapy and older irreversible lesions. Although more data need to be obtained, MR spectroscopy shows promise for monitoring progression of MS and evaluating therapy.