In this paper the results of two coordinated biomedical research proje
cts are presented. The first project involves the determination of the
average values of elements in normal human brain (20 individuals, age
-group 65-75). 21 brain parts were selected from both hemispheres. Det
erminations were carried out by ICP-AES and INAA methods. The main (Na
, K, Mg, Ca, Fe, P, S) and trace elements (Al, B, Ba, Co, Cr, Mn, Ni,
Pb, Sr, Zn) were investigated. Quality control was ensured by using NB
S Bovine Liver SRMs. On the basis of our investigations the regional d
istribution of elements can be given. The second goal was to detect th
e possible trace element changes in histopathologically selected brain
regions from patients with glioblastoma multiforme. The majority of e
lements displayed no statistically significant differences between the
studied groups, except the reduced levels of B and Zn and the increas
ed level of Sr compared to the tissue from control individuals.