Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS)

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), also known as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), is a diagnostic imaging technique based on the detection of metabolites in tissues. MRS observes the local magnetic fields around atomic nuclei. MRS incorporates a similar model as an MRI. Similar to PET, MRS can measure the specific concentration of specific biochemicals. Usage of MRS in ME/CFS patients in relatively new and has advantages and disadvantages over other scanning technologies.

MRS and PET
MRS can be used to complement PET for studying neuroinflammation. PET scans are generally more accurate at analyzing specific metabolites. MRS usually reports metabolites as a ratio of one metabolite vs. another, while PET reports an absolute concentration. However, PET scans are invasive as radioligands are injected while MRS is not invasive. MRS is able to produce high-resolution, high contrast images of soft tissue. On the other hand, PET is able to measure the distribution of radiotracers and biochemicals with high sensitivity. Although not many labs have dual MRS-PET scanners, incorporating both techniques into one is able to combine the strengths from MRS and PET.

MRS Studies in ME/CFS
MRS's ability to detect metabolites is useful for studying inflammation, metabolism, and overall brain health. Therefore, MRS and MRS-PET has been utilized in ME/CFS patients to analyze neuroinflammation,
 * Natelson et al. 2017
 * Found a significant difference between ME/CFS patients and control group when comparing lactate in the ventricles region


 * Van der Schaaf et al. 2017
 * Found no significant differences in metabolites between ME/CFS patients and controls


 * Shungu et al. 2012
 * Found significant differences in lactate and glutathione in the occipital cortex and ventricles


 * Murrough et al. 2010
 * Found a significant difference in lactate between ME/CFS patients and control group in the anterior cingulate cortex, occipital cortex, and ventricles


 * Puri et al. 2009


 * Mathew et al. 2008
 * Found a significant difference in lactate between ME/CFS patients and control group in corpus callosum and ventricles


 * Puri et al. 2002
 * Found a significant differences in choline between ME/CFS patients and control group in occipital cortex and left motor cortex


 * Brooks et al. 2000


 * Tomoda et al.
 * Found a significant difference in choline between ME/CFS patients and control group in frontal white matter