The papers collected in this volume were presented at the 4th International Symposium on Mass Spectrometry in Biochemistry and Medicine held at Riva del Garda, Italy in June 1977. This meeting was organised by the Italian Group for Mass Spectrometry in Biochemistry and Medicine. The group was founded in Milan, Italy, in 1975 by researchers working in different fields (chemistry, pharmacology, medicine, biology). The aim of the symposium was to bring together people working in different branches of mass spectrometry for mutual discussion, exchange of ideas and experience. I wish to thank Mrs. Judy Baggot, Mrs. Donata Castoldi and Miss Vanna Pistotti for their invaluable technical assistance and countless efforts in the preparation of this volume. Alberto Frigerio Milan, January, 1978 v CONTENTS Newer Aspects of the Biotransformation of Carbamazepine: Structural Characterization of Highly Polar Metabolites * * * * 1 W. J. Richter, P. Kriemler and J. W. Faigle Distribution in Brain Areas of Carbamazepine and Carbamazepine-lO,ll-epoxide in 6-Hydroxydopamine Pretreated Rats 15 C. Pantarotto, V. Crunelli, A. Quattrone, P. Negrini, A. Frigerio and R.
Samanin Specific Ion Detection of Aryloxy Beta Blocking Drugs for Metabolic Fate Determinations- Applications to Alprenolol in Rats and Dogs 29 T. Walle and K. Walle The Use of GC-MS in Perinatal Pharmacology: The Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics of Analgesic Drugs in Mothers and Their Babies * * * * * * * * 49 J. Caldwell, L. J. Notarianni and L. A.