Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) is an emerging label-free method for mapping the distribution of diverse molecular species in tissue sections. Despite recent progress in MALDI-MSI analyses of lipids, it is still difficult to visualize minor bioactive lipids including lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P).

Defects in sphingolipid metabolism have emerged as a common link across neurodegenerative disorders, and a deeper understanding of the lipid content in preclinical models and patient specimens offers opportunities for development of new therapeutic targets and biomarkers.

Smoking is an important risk factor for the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to further elucidate the role of ceramides, as a key lipid class dysregulated in disease states.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects more than 6 million people worldwide. Glycosphingolipids are natural cellular fats and part of the PD epidemiology. They are components of cellular membranes that fulfill multiple functional roles, from cell structure and transport to signalling. However, the contribution of glycosphingolipids to PD is not fully understood.