Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in Alzheimer's disease, a review

Alzheimer disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. Current consensus statements have emphasized the need for early recognition of AD. In vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) has recently opened new possibilities for noninvasively assessing metabolic and functional correlates of dementia in research and clinical settings. The purpose of this article is to provide a conceptual review, covering the principles of MRS and main pathological findings related to AD. H1 MRS has the possibility of being a neuroimaging marker because the potential clinical applications in patients with AD include a role in early diagnosis and differential diagnosis of AD, a role in prognosis of disease severity, a role in predicting future progression to AD in patients with mild cognitive impairment and tracking disease progression. MRS can also help in the evaluation of treatment effects and in the development of new therapies. In conclusion, H1 MRS has great potential in becoming an adjunct to clinical evaluation and management of dementia in the future. Nevertheless, there is still need for further research for the implementation of this neuroimaging technique in the management of dementia.