title: System design for in vivo neutron activation analysis measurements of manganese in the human brain: based on Monte Carlo modeling.
abstract: Manganese is an essential nutrient required by the human body, but conversely, over exposure to the element may cause central nervous system damage. The technique of in vivo neutron activation analysis, using the McMaster KN-accelerator, is being investigated as a possible method of noninvasively determining manganese concentrations within the human body. Since the brain is the primary target of damage from exposure it would be the ideal site for measurements. Thus, Monte Carlo simulations have been undertaken to define the optimum experimental parameters for such a measurement, examining the use of possible moderator, reflector and collimator materials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada. arnoldml@mcmail.CIS.mcmaster.ca
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.forename: F E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: McNeill
authors.forename: W V
authors.initials: WV
authors.lastname: Prestwich
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Chettle
mesh_terms: D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008345:Manganese / Q000032:analysis*; D008432:Mathematical Computing; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D008954:Models, Biological; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D009501:Neutron Activation Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D008345:Manganese