Improvement of analytical results quality in neuroscience – Good Methodology Practice in the acetylcholine determination

Abstract

A new point of view on ensuring the best quality of analytical results has been presented. We proposed the strategy called Good Methodology Practice leading to the improvement of the quality of analytical results and assessment of interference effects. Four calibration methods: External Calibration, Standard Addition Method, Integrated Calibration Method in the version of Complementary Dilution Method and basic variant of Integrated Calibration Method were tested in terms of acetylcholine determination. Acetylcholine is an important neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role i.e. in memory and movement. The determination of acetylcholine in mice brain was carried out with the use of microdialysis in freely moving animals followed by high-performance liquid chromatograph with electrochemical detection. The comparison of obtained results calculated in various ways allowed an effective assessment and compensation of systematic errors as well as the improvement of the accuracy of analytical results. The most suitable method was chosen.