Nano-XRF and Nano-XANES Investigation of Pineal Gland Calcification in Neurodegenerative Disease

The study focuses on calcification and degeneration processes in human pineal gland (PG) tissue during normal ageing and Alzheimer's disease (AD). It will be achieved by integrating high-sensitivity, high-resolution X-ray fluorescence (nano-XRF) mapping with X-ray absorption near edge structure (nano-XANES) spectroscopy. Specifically, XRF mapping will determine the distribution and correlation of calcium (Ca), iron (Fe) and phosphorus (P) in PG calcifications, while Ca and Fe K-edge XANES spectroscopy will analyse the speciation of Ca and Fe within the calcified deposits.