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Regional cerebral metabolism rate of oxygen and regional cerebral blood flow in the human are being studied by means of oxygen-17 ( 17 O) and hydrogen-1 ( 1 H) magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
The methodology is unique in being non-invasive and in utilizing stable (not radio active) isotopes. The possible uses of this technique offer major advantages and infinite insights into many physiological and clinical problems.
The technique is used for examining both global and focal changes in brain physiology. Studies of normal neurological processes are being carried out in an attempt to determine changes in metabolic activity in areas of the brain which are known to be stimulated by certain external stimulation. Changes in response to simple sensory and motor cerebral activation procedures on the primary visual cortex are being investigated.
This technology could significantly extend the already superb applications of proton MRI for medical purposes and improve our understanding of numerous disease processes including dementia, stroke, head trauma and epilepsy. We plan to explore in a preliminary fashion this clinical potential.