The role of magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the investigation of lactic acidosis and inborn errors of energy metabolism

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) provides a non-invasive method of investigating disordered energy metabolismin vivo. Here, we briefly outline some MRS studies of skeletal muscle and brain metabolism that have been carried out in patients with inborn errors of energy metabolism. We concentrate in particular on the use of1H MRS for the detection of elevated brain lactate in these patients.