The feasibility of RIMS for the analysis of potentially toxic element accumulation in neural tissue

A feasibility study was conducted into the possibility of using resonance ionisation mass spectrometry for the detection of focal accumulation of neuro-toxic elements in neural tissue. Experiments were performed using a ToFMS system in conjunction with an Ar+ source for target sputtering and a pulsed tuneable dye laser system for resonance ionisation. Detection limits of similar to 3 ppm for Al in brain tissue homogenates were achieved, with a spatial resolution of less than 100 mu m.