Iodine concentration in different human brain parts.

Iodine is one of the most important essential elements as demonstrated by the fact that its deficiency can cause goitre. Nevertheless, quantitative data on its concentration in biological materials, especially in the human brain, are scarce. There is therefore a demand for accurate and reliable information on iodine in these types of samples. The purpose of the present work was to determine the concentration of total iodine in some control human brain parts by rapid radiochemical neutron activation analysis. Our second goal was to determine I distribution between lipid fraction and in brain tissue without lipid by applying two types of solvent extraction methods. The results were checked by the analysis of biological standard reference materials with certified or literature values for iodine and good agreement was found.

Disturbances of magnesium concentrations in various brain areas in Alzheimer's disease.

Our first project aimed at the determination of the average values of Mg in normal human brain (20 individuals, mean age 70 years). Ten brain parts were selected from both hemispheres. Determinations were carried out by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and instrumental neutron activation analysis methods. In order to investigate the precision and the accuracy of the methods five biological standard reference materials were analyzed. The present results show a non-homogeneous distribution of Mg in normal human brain. Regions corresponding to each other in both hemispheres show almost identical concentration. The second goal was to study the possible Mg concentration changes in Alzheimer's disease (nine patients, ten brain parts). Mg values are found to be significantly decreased in brain regions of diseased patients compared to the controls.

Information content of photographic detection in spectrochemical analyses.

Parameters of the information theory have been used for the assessment of the photographic performance for the characterization of various spectrochemical photographic emulsions and developers.

Al, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe levels in brain in Alzheimer's disease.

The aim of our experiments was to investigate the possible element concentration changes in Alzheimer's disease. Our project incorporated the determination of the regional distribution of elements in normal human brain, too. Five elements (Al, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe) have been measured in 10 different regions of 20 normal brains (mean age 70 years) and in brain parts of patients with Alzheimer's disease (9 individuals). Analyses were carried out by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) techniques. Analytical precision and accuracy were investigated by NIST standard reference material. In a comparison between the healthy and Alzheimer patients' concentration data using statistical treatment these elements showed difference as a function of the Alzheimer disease (AD).

Concentration of elements in human brain: glioblastoma multiforme.

In this paper the results of two coordinated biomedical research projects are presented. The first project involves the determination of the average values of elements in normal human brain (20 individuals, age-group 65-75). 21 brain parts were selected from both hemispheres. Determinations were carried out by ICP-AES and INAA methods. The main (Na, K, Mg, Ca, Fe, P, S) and trace elements (Al, B, Ba, Co, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, Zn) were investigated. Quality control was ensured by using NBS Bovine Liver SRMs. On the basis of our investigations the regional distribution of elements can be given. The second goal was to detect the possible trace element changes in histopathologically selected brain regions from patients with glioblastoma multiforme. The majority of elements displayed no statistically significant differences between the studied groups, except the reduced levels of B and Zn and the increased level of Sr compared to the tissue from control individuals.

Determination of main and trace element contents in human brain by NAA and ICP-AES methods.

A study was undertaken to determine the average values for elements in normal human brain (11 individuals, age group 65-75). Twelve brain parts were selected from both hemispheres. Determinations were carried out by NAA and ICP-AES. The main elements (Na, K, Mg, Ca, Fe, P, S) and trace elements (Al, B, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) were investigated. Quality control was ensured by using NBS Bovine Liver SRM. The results obtained with independent methods were compared, and the data show a good correlation. On the basis of these investigations, the regional distribution of elements can be given.