NMR Spectroscopy: Application to Metabolic Research

The aim of this chapter is to demonstrate the considerable clinical potential of NMR spectroscopy. In reviewing the course of imaging and spectroscopy over the past decade one sees that imaging has moved from visualisation of the internal structure of various fruits to high definition neurological and body imaging, where pixel sizes (× 0.3 mm2) approach those obtainable in high resolution CT. However, the clinical superiority of NMR imaging in identifying pathological information is controversial: conversely, the interpretation of NMR spectroscopy, especially 31P, is well understood. Few in vivo clinical studies have been performed, principally due to the low availability of large magnets of suitable field strength and the formidable difficulties of defining precise volumes within a patient from which spectra may be taken. In reviewing the field of NMR spectroscopy it will be shown that these obstacles can be overcome and that much of the groundwork on animal studies may be readily transferred to the clinical environment. Many clinical spectroscopy systems have come into operation over the past year and a large increase in human studies is expected.