Spectroscopic methods in degenerative neurological diseases.

The molecular basis of many degenerative neurological diseases remains unknown. Biochemical, morphological, and genetic studies of several tissue types have provided some clues of the pathogenesis and etiology of such disorders; however, it has been spectroscopic investigations that have in several instances provided unifying bases for understanding the molecular defects involved. In particular, electron spin resonance, nuclear magnetic resonance, fluorescence, and Raman spectroscopic studies of cell membranes have provided needed insight into degenerative neurological disorders. This article will provide a brief background to each of the spectroscopic techniques listed above, will summarize our current understanding of cell membrane with special emphasis on the erythrocyte, and finally will give a critical evaluation of the literature of spectroscopic methods in degenerative neurological diseases.