Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI) in Alzheimer's disease: a scoping review of proteomic alterations in neurological tissues.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) has become a valuable tool for molecular mapping in neurological disorders. This scoping review synthesized current evidence on its use in proteomic analysis of neural tissues in Alzheimer's disease (AD). From 1,419 screened records, 26 studies met the inclusion criteria. Findings highlight MALDI-MS's capacity to detect beta-amyloid (Aβ) proteoforms, and tau protein post-translational modifications linked to AD. Its high spatial resolution enables region-specific molecular profiling, enhancing understanding of AD pathophysiology and supporting early biomarker discovery. The review underscores the translational potential of MALDI-MS in advancing targeted therapeutic development.