The inaccessibility of the human brain to biochemical studies has historically challenged the ability of in vestigators to elucidate the pathophysiology of psychiatric syndromes. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) now provides a noninvasive means of assessing neurochemistry in vivo. Since the first application of the technique to the study of the human brain, many new advances have been made. This new technology broadens the applications of the MRS. The major principles of the technique and compounds currently available for study are discussed in this article. A brief review of current and future applications of the technology to the field of psychiatry are discussed. NEUROSCIENTIST 5:192-196, 1999
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