Evidence map›Paper›PMID 34075230›Full record

ArticleNature protocols2021

Spatial visualization of comprehensive brain neurotransmitter systems and neuroactive substances by selective in situ chemical derivatization mass spectrometry imaging.

Reza Shariatgorji, Anna Nilsson, Elva Fridjonsdottir, Nicole Strittmatter, Andreas Dannhorn, Per Svenningsson, Richard J A Goodwin, Luke R Odell, Per E Andrén

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Nature protocols, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 31 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
31citing papers in PubMed
4.4field-weighted citation impact, top 4% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

31 citing papers in PubMed, 62 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Article
  2. Review
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  4. Anabolic androgenic steroids induce distinct monoaminergic and lipidomic alterations in the male rat brain.Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology · 2026
    Article
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  9. Mass Spectrometry Imaging.Analytical chemistry · 2025
    Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.

Reza Shariatgorji *Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Medical Mass Spectrometry Imaging, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9484-0921
Anna Nilsson *Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Medical Mass Spectrometry Imaging, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Elva FridjonsdottirDepartment of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Medical Mass Spectrometry Imaging, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Nicole StrittmatterImaging & Data Analytics, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1277-9608
Andreas DannhornImaging & Data Analytics, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1087-4057
Per SvenningssonDepartment of Clinical Neuroscience, Section of Neurology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Richard J A GoodwinImaging & Data Analytics, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5699-8488
Luke R OdellDepartment of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Per E AndrénDepartment of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Medical Mass Spectrometry Imaging, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. per.andren@farmbio.uu.se.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4062-7743
Uppsala University · SEAstraZeneca (United Kingdom) · GBKarolinska Institutet · SE

Funding

Hjärnfonden (Swedish Brain Foundation) FO2018-0292Stiftelsen för Strategisk Forskning (Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research) RIF14-0078Vetenskapsrådet (Swedish Research Council) 2018-03320Vetenskapsrådet (Swedish Research Council) 2018-05501
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Molecule-specific techniques such as MALDI and desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging enable direct and simultaneous mapping of biomolecules in tissue sections in a single experiment. However, neurotransmitter imaging in the complex environment of biological samples remains challenging. Our covalent charge-tagging approach using on-tissue chemical derivatization of primary and secondary amines and phenolic hydroxyls enables comprehensive mapping of neurotransmitter networks. Here, we present robust and easy-to-use chemical derivatization protocols that facilitate quantitative and simultaneous molecular imaging of complete neurotransmitter systems and drugs in diverse biological tissue sections with high lateral resolution. This is currently not possible with any other imaging technique. The protocol, using fluoromethylpyridinium and pyrylium reagents, describes all steps from tissue preparation (~1 h), chemical derivatization (1-2 h), data collection (timing depends on the number of samples and lateral resolution) and data analysis and interpretation. The specificity of the chemical reaction can also help users identify unknown chemical identities. Our protocol can reveal the cellular locations in which signaling molecules act and thus shed light on the complex responses that occur after the administration of drugs or during the course of a disease.

Indexed as

Optical ImagingAnimalsBrainLimit of DetectionMaleNeurotransmitter AgentsRatsRats, Sprague-DawleyReference StandardsSpectrometry, Mass, Electrospray IonizationSpectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-IonizationNeurotransmitter Agents

Identifiers

PMID34075230
OpenAlexW3164738101

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.