Clinical mass spectrometry in neuroscience. Proteomics and peptidomics

In this review we discuss the merits and drawbacks with the use of proteomic and peptidomic strategies for identification of proteins and peptides in their multidimensional interactions in complex biological processes. The progress in proteomics and peptidomics during the last years offer us new challenges to study changes in the protein and peptide synthesis. These strategies also offer new tools to follow post-translational modifications and other disturbed chemical processes that may be indicative of pathophysiological alteration(s). Furthermore these techniques can contribute to improvements in the diagnosis and therapy of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, and psychiatric diseases, as depression and post traumatic stress disorders. We also consider different practical aspects of the applications of mass spectrometry in clinical neuroscience, illustrated by example from our laboratories. The new proteomic and peptidomic strategies will further enable the progress for clinical neuroscience research.