In vivo localized 1H spectroscopy of the rat eye at 7 T: preliminary studies

Preliminary in vivo proton spectroscopic studies of the posterior chamber of the rat eye have been undertaken at 7 T. The Spatial and Chemical shift encoded Excitation (SPACE) localization sequence was used to acquire signals from 10 microliter voxels and demonstrate the presence of metabolites associated with the vitreous humor, lens, retina, and the optic nerve. Localized T2 and T1 measurements of water in the vitreous humor indicate a relatively fluid environment. Susceptibility maps are used to demonstrate the difficulties of in vivo spectroscopic investigations in the anterior regions of the eye. Comments are made concerning the implications for spectral resolution in these regions.