Magnetic resonance spectroscopy in affective disorders

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a noninvasive tool for in vivo chemical analysis that has been applied to neurobiological or psychopharmacological studies of affective disorders. Studies employing P-31-MRS and H-1-MRS have indicated possible abnormalities in membrane phospholipid metabolism high-energy phosphate metabolism, and intracellular pH in affective disorders. They have also suggested that lithium increases the phosphomonoester (possibly inositol-1-phosphate) peak in the brain but does not increase that of choline-containing compounds in the brain. Studies employing Li-7-MRS and F-19-MRS have elucidated the pharmacokinetic properties of lithium, fluoxetine, and fluvoxamine in the brain in patients treated with these drugs.