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RESEARCH PRODUCT

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) in Psychiatry

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In recent years, structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging has opened up new avenues to the study of psychiatric disorders. A number of structural changes characteristic for different psychiatric diseases could be delineated by the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) enables the in vivo investigation of cerebral neuronal activation under cognitive or behavioral activation paradigms. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) allows for the study of defined neurochemical substances or pharmacological agents in the human brain. This article presents an overview of the basic principles of the different MRI techniques and representative results are discussed. As a powerful technical tool for the in vivo study of normal brain functions and alterations in different disease states, MRI has highly influenced the search for a biological basis and new treatment strategies for mental disorders.