This paper looks at the use of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) for diagnostic and research purposes in Parkinson's disease and parkinsonian syndromes. The review considers both proton MRS (1H MRS) and phosphorus MRS (31 P MRS) studies. MRS is useful for diagnostic purposes, helping to differentiate Parkinson's disease from other parkinsonian syndromes. Even more usefully, MRS can be used for non invasive in vivo human research.