A tutorial and mini-review of the ICP-MS technique for determinations of transition metal ion and main group element concentration in the neurodegenerative and brain sciences

Abstract

New techniques in the biosciences are always welcomed and important. Reviews help in updating and disseminating information in scientific fields, especially when there are many advances such as in the vital area in neuroscience. Herein is a recent review of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in the context of trace elements, relating to neurodegenerative diseases. The accurate determination of such elemental distributions in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, etc. allows for a better understanding of such diseases and relates to the sensitivity and scope of the ICP-MS technique. The elements detected are often "trace" and can be analyzed for both body tissues and fluids. We discuss the practical use of ICP-MS. This includes the explanations of the instrumental setup, elements and their detection limits, a brief comparison of ICP-MS with other inorganic analysis instruments, sample preparation, and the analysis method. Next, we discuss neurodegenerative disease and metal ion analysis with ICP-MS. This includes introductions to neurodegenerative diseases, tissue analysis, fluid analysis, and bioimaging of metals in brain tissue samples, and protein analysis application with metals and ICP-MS, broken down into the subtopics of (1) isotope dilution analysis, (2) related immunoassay techniques, and (3) hyphenated instrumental applications. This article is meant to be a primer for a synthetic chemist interested in utilizing this technique and is current through the middle of 2010.