Spectroscopic methods in degenerative neurological diseases

This article reviews spectroscopic studies applied to degenerative neurological disorders. Many types of spectroscopy exist but four techniques have been primarily applied to investigate degenerative neurological disease: fluorescence, Raman, electron spin resonance, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Further, most of these studies have involved cell membranes. The principles of membrane structure and function with particular emphasis on the erythrocyte membrane (the system in which most spectroscopic studies of degenerative neurological disease have been applied) are given. Finally, spectroscopic studies applied to disorders of the central nervous system and peripheral muscular system are presented. The last section briefly outlines future directions of spectroscopy applied to degenerative neurological disorders as envisioned by this author. Every effort was made to review relevant papers pertinent to the focus of this article.