Detection of the difference in functions of cerebral hemispheres by proton NMR

A novel nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique has been developed to detect the difference in functions of human cerebral hemispheres. Changes in the amount of blood flowing in the areas of the human cerebral cortex, reflecting changes in the activity of those areas, were measured by proton magnetic resonance. The authors applied the technique to normal human volunteers and observed evoked signals from activated areas. The method appears to have promise for the analysis of functions of the brain and possibly for the diagnosis of cerebral diseases.<>