Phosphorus NMR analysis of human white matter in mixed non-ionic detergent micelles.

In order to study the lipid composition of human white matter, we have developed a 31P NMR spectroscopy method, which allows the determination and quantitation of the main phospholipids found in biological membranes. The technique is based upon the use of a non-ionic detergent (Triton X-100) which induces, in aqueous media, the formation of mixed micelles that are magnetically isotropic. The linewidths and chemical shifts depend on both the molar ratio detergent/phospholipid and the pH of the suspension.

[Perspectives in the use of NMR for the biochemical study of the white matter of the brain].

This paper presents a survey of the function and the biochemical composition of the myelin sheath. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of extracts of human white matter tissue is a major method for the identification of myelin constituants. We present results of some experiments obtained with normal brain material at 80 MHz and 400 MHz.