  A variational formulation of the time--dependent linear response based on the
Sternheimer method is developed in order to make practical ab initio
calculations of dynamical spin susceptibilities of solids. Using gradient
density functional and a muffin-tin-orbital representation, the efficiency of
the approach is demonstrated by applications to selected magnetic and strongly
paramagnetic metals. The results are found to be consistent with experiment and
are compared with previous theoretical calculations.
