Model-based correction algorithm for Fourier Transform infrared microscopy measurements of complex tissue-substrate systems.

Model-based algorithms have recently attracted much attention for data pre-processing in tissue mapping and imaging by Fourier transform infrared micro-spectroscopy (FTIR). Their versatility, robustness and computational performance enabled the improvement of spectral quality by mitigating the impact of scattering and fringing in FTIR spectra of chemically homogeneous biological systems. However, to date, no comprehensive algorithm has been optimized and automated for large-area FTIR imaging of histologically complex tissue samples.

Combined brain Fe, Cu, Zn and neurometabolite analysis - a new methodology for unraveling the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in appetite control.

Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial origin disease that has recently become one of the most frequent lifestyle disorders. Unfortunately, current obesity treatments seem to be ineffective. At present, transcranial direct current brain stimulation (tDCS) represents a promising novel treatment methodology that seems to be efficient, well-tolerated and safe for a patient.

FTIR imaging of the molecular burden around Aβ deposits in an early-stage 3-Tg-APP-PSP1-TAU mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease is one of the major causes of dementia in the elderly. The disease is caused by the misfolding of water soluble alpha-helical proteins, which leads to the accumulation of β-sheets in the form of amyloid plaques, which can subsequently affect surrounding tissue areas by oxidative stress neurotoxicity. The aim of the present study was to design a novel methodology to analyze the extent to the neuronal burden around protein-rich Aβ plaques suspected to affect molecular components by oxidative stress induced by inflammatory states.

Synchrotron radiation based X-ray fluorescence shows changes in the elemental composition of the human substantia nigra in aged brains.

Human brain aging is considered to be the leading risk factor for a variety of neurodegenerative alterations. In particular, it is thought that the human substantia nigra might play a pivotal role in age-associated dopamine depletion which could be responsible for neuronal demise and subsequent emergence of different neurological alterations. A plethora of neurochemical redox- and non-redox-driven mechanisms is mainly associated with modifications in the elemental composition of both neuromelanin-pigmented neurons and extraneuronal spaces in the human substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc).

Peripheral vagus nerve stimulation significantly affects lipid composition and protein secondary structure within dopamine-related brain regions in rats.

Recent immunohistochemical studies point to the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve as the point of departure of initial changes which are related to the gradual pathological developments in the dopaminergic system. In the light of current investigations, it is likely that biochemical changes within the peripheral nervous system may influence the physiology of the dopaminergic system, suggesting a putative role for it in the development of neurodegenerative disorders. By using Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy, coupled with statistical analysis, we examined the effect of chronic, unilateral electrical vagus nerve stimulation on changes in lipid composition and in protein secondary structure within dopamine-related brain structures in rats.

Variability of protein and lipid composition of human subtantia nigra in aging: Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy study.

There is growing evidence that a variety of biochemical processes that underlie the most frequent neurodegenerative diseases may have much in common with those connected with natural aging. It was shown that they involve, among others, lipid peroxidation and/or generation of insoluble in water protein deposits (i.e.