Methylsulfonylmethane observed by in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in a 5-year-old child with developmental disorder: effects of dietary supplementation

Cecil KM, Lin A, Ross BD, Egelhoff JC

J Comput Assist Tomogr 2002 Sep-Oct;26(5):818-20

PMID: 12439321

Abstract

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) revealed a distinct resonance at 3.15 ppm in the brain of a 5-year-old male diagnosed with autism. The resonance assignment is attributable to ingestion of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) as a dietary supplement. Glucosamine with MSM is marketed as a source of dietary sulfur and treatment of joint pain. Recognition of this chemical on brain proton MRS as an exogenous compound is necessary to avoid confusion as a pathologic metabolite of pediatric metabolic disease.