Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS): recent experience of its use in a clinical study and the potential future of the technique

1. The technique of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) is outlined. 2. The use of AMS in an initial validation study in animals is outlined. As part of the validation of the technique, samples from the animal study wer e analysed by both liquid scintillation counting (LSC) and, following dilut ion, by AMS. The results were similar. 3. The use of AMS in support of a clinical study is described. Six healthy male human volunteers were administered 2.7 mg [C-14]- GI1817771 (121 Bq; 3 .3 nCi) to produce an exposure to ionizing radiation of 0.06 mu Sv. Mass ba lance in recovery of administered radioactivity was achieved and informatio n about the presence of systemically circulating metabolites was gained. 4. The future potential of the technique of AMS is discussed.