What are the principles of magnetic resonance spectroscopy?

MRS is a technique that detects radio frequency electromagnetic signals produced by atomic nuclei of molecules. If an outside magnetic field is applied, energy transfer is possible between base energy to a higher energy level. Energy transfer occurs at wavelengths that match radio frequencies. The signal that matches this transfer is measured and processed to create a MRS spectrum.

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy functions like MRI as they both use hydrogen protons. However magnetic resonance spectroscopy uses hydrogen protons and other atoms to create spectral data of the chemical makeup of molecules in the brain. MRS’s are often added to MRI scans to view the brain’s biochemistry and metabolism.