Spatial lipidomics of the human brain: systematic review of current state and future perspectives.
This systematic review highlights the need for standardized methodologies in lipid mapping studies to improve our understanding of brain disorders.
Where it sits
this study against the rest of the pnc-27 corpusSummary and findings
This systematic review examined the distribution of lipids in the human brain using mass spectrometry imaging. It included 34 articles focusing on various neurological and psychiatric disorders, primarily Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and multiple sclerosis. The review highlighted inconsistencies in research methodologies and lipid signatures across studies.
Abstract
<h4>Background</h4>Lipids represent a significant component of the human brain, exerting crucial functions in both physiological and pathological conditions. Mapping brain lipids distribution is an emerging area of research, with mass spectrometry imaging allowing the detection of lipid species and their localization within tissue sections. However, comprehensive spatial mapping of lipids in the human brain remains to be achieved. This systematic review addresses this gap by critically synthesizing the available literature in the field.<h4>Methods</h4>A bibliographic search on PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science for original articles employing mass spectrometry imaging to analyze lipids and their distribution in the human brain was performed. The included articles were grouped according to the clinical characteristics of the studied populations, including healthy subjects and selected neurological and psychiatric disorders. Studies on human brain tissue from tumoral specimens, animals, or in vitro models such as organoids were excluded to maintain focus on translational findings directly applicable to human neurological and psychiatric diseases.<h4>Results</h4>Following the inclusion criteria, 34 articles were selected. Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia and multiple sclerosis were the most frequently investigated conditions, alongside studies in healthy subjects describing lipid distribution under physiological conditions. We observed considerable heterogeneity across studies in terms of research questions and methodological approaches. Nevertheless, our critical synthesis allowed us to identify both consistencies and discrepancies in experimental strategies and in the lipid signatures reported.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Studying lipids by mass spectrometry imaging enables the identification of spatially defined profiles in distinct brain areas, providing valuable insights into both human neurobiology and brain disorders' pathophysiology. In this context, spatial information is crucial for linking lipid alterations to specific structures or lesions, thereby supporting translational applications. Finally, we identified key methodological issues that must be addressed to advance this emerging field.
Background
This paper addresses the distribution of lipids in the human brain, which is crucial for understanding both physiological and pathological conditions. Prior research has established the importance of lipids in brain function, but comprehensive mapping remains incomplete. This systematic review is significant as it consolidates findings from various studies to identify gaps and inconsistencies in the current literature.
Methods
A bibliographic search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for original articles that utilized mass spectrometry imaging to analyze lipid distribution in the human brain. The review included studies on human brain tissue from healthy subjects and those with neurological or psychiatric disorders, while excluding studies on tumoral specimens, animals, or in vitro models. The articles were categorized based on the clinical characteristics of the populations studied.
Results
The review identified 34 articles that met the inclusion criteria. The most frequently investigated conditions were Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and multiple sclerosis. The review noted considerable heterogeneity in research questions and methodologies across the selected studies.
Interpretation
This review highlights the emerging field of spatial lipidomics in the human brain, indicating that while there are consistent findings regarding lipid distribution in certain conditions, methodological discrepancies limit the ability to draw definitive conclusions. The effect sizes and clinical significance of the findings are not explicitly reported, suggesting a need for further research to establish robust links between lipid alterations and specific brain disorders.
Key findings
- 34 articles selected for review.
- Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and multiple sclerosis were the most frequently investigated conditions.
- Considerable heterogeneity observed across studies in research questions and methodological approaches.
Limitations
- 34 articles reviewed, indicating a limited scope of literature.
- Considerable heterogeneity in study methodologies.
- Exclusion of animal and in vitro studies may limit translational insights.