Imaging metals in the brain by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

Abstract

Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) has been an invaluable tool for accurate and precise measurement of metals in geological and environmental samples. However, like many advanced analytical techniques its versatility has seen its translation into several other disciplines, including neuroimaging. In this chapter, we discuss the principles of LA-ICP-MS technology and how it is applied to mesoscale imaging of metals in neurological tissue; evaluate the various approaches available for image construction and analysis; discuss the challenges and opportunities for quantitative metal imaging; and present a selection of applications demonstrating the power of th..