Objective To study the differences of the peak of NAA, Cho and Lac between the young patients and the elderly with acute cerebral infarction. Methods Spectral curves of metabolites including NAA, Cho, Lac and so on were collected, which were in the lesion and its mirror region of 24 young patients and 27 the elderly cases with cerebral infarction occurred in 6-24 hours. The changes in spectral curves of metabolites were observed. The comparative analysis of differences was carried out between the groups. Results The NAA peaks were decreased in varying degrees, that of Lac were increased and two-inverted-peak of Lac with the different peak could be seen. The peaks of Cho were changeable, overall decreased and with uncertainty. There were significant differences (P<0.05) between the infarction group and the mirror region in the young. And so were the elderly. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in the changes of metabolites NAA or Cho between the young and the elderly with infarction. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the change of Lac. Conclusion NAA and Lac was the sensitive indicator of acute cerebral infarction, Cho could also provide useful information about the relevant metabolism situation. There is a certain correlation between the change characteristics of NAA or Cho and age. But that of Lac was no. So it should pay attention to the differences in the metabolic status of the cerebral infarction in different age.