and recurrent ovarian cancer using linear discriminant analysis magn reson med 1997 38 569 76 or a more robust type as described in pct wo 01 28412 a1 pct ca00 01238 wherein the cross validation step is repeated a plurality of times each time selecting a different portion of the spectra these studies indicate significant differences in neurotransmitter and metabolite concentrations in the brain regions examined when pain patients are compared with controls and between different pain conditions will allow the origin and intensity of the pain to be recorded as well table 1 shows the results of a study of a group of patients with lower back pain and controls with no back pain using six regions using only crisply classified spectra for sensitivity specificity and accuracy yielded the following results anatomical region of accuracy the brain crispness sensitivity specificity thalamus 85 96 100 98 anterior cingulate cortex prefrontal cortex the location in the body where the patient is experiencing pain can often be identified by patient report the value of the described diagnostic technique is that once a region has been identified the response of the brain can be determined and the change in biochemical profile used to determine the relative contributions of these different pain components this may provide the practitioner with an objective assessment of the contribution of these different components and provide clear direction for the management as mentioned above mrs is able to identify the relative concentrations in brain regions and it has been demonstrated that neuropathic pain is associated.