β-N-Methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) is a non-
canonical amino acid implicated as a cause for amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis/parkinsonism dementia complex and poten-
tially other neurodegenerative diseases. As interest in this
molecule has increased, there has been a proliferation of
methods along with a plethora of opinions as to the superiority
of some methods over others. We analyzed the literature with
reference to BMAA and its naturally occurring isomers, N-(2-
aminoethyl) glycine (AEG) and 2,4 diaminobutyric acid
(DAB). A comparison of methods, results, and critiques reveal
that a single method has been approved by the AOAC but
several different methods provide comparable BMAA quan-
tification concentrations in similar tissues. We also describe a
productive way to move forward as technology improves and
changes.

EB00000002366K

Available

• Methods for the Chemical Analysis of β-N-Methylamino-L-A lanine: What Is Known and What Remains to Be Determined