Objective To assess metabolic alterations in the human basal ganglia area during maturation and aging by using 2D chemical shift imaging (2D CSI) of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). Methods Seventy healthy subjects were examined by 2D CSI. 2D CSI imaging acquisition was performed in the bilateral caudate, lentiform and thalamus. 1H-MRS was processed to determine the metabolite ratios, including NAA/Cho, NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr. Seventy healthy subjects were divided into 3 groups:20 to 39 years of age group, 40 to 59 years of age group and 60 to 87 years of age group. The three groups of healthy participants were compared. Results There was a significant decrease with aging in the NAA/Cho ratio in the bilateral lcntiform, thalamus and left caudate, and a significant decrease with aging in NAA/Cr ratio in the bilateral thalamus,right lentiform and left caudate (P<0.05), whereas the Cho/Cr ratio was significantly increased in the bilateral lentiform with aging(P<0.05). Conclusions The results of 1H-MRS show significant changes in the level of metabolites during the process of aging. This technique may play an important role in clinical studies and applications for various conditions of metabolic disorders of the human brain.