Tuesday, December 10, 2024
HomeNewsLatest Health and Medical NewsNew biosensors to detect neurotransmitters

New biosensors to detect neurotransmitters

A new review in the Journal of Biosensors highlights the recent advances in developing biosensors to detect neurotransmitters in the human brain.

Neurotransmitters are important biological chemicals located and released in the brain to allow a signal from one nerve cell to pass to another one. There are approximately 50 neurotransmitters identified, but the ones we are most familiar with include glutamate, dopamine, and serotonin. They are used by billions of nerve cells in the brain to regulate various neurophysiological processes such as memory, cognition, attention, alertness, and behavioral states.

Variations in the level of neurotransmitters may result in different mental and physical disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, schizophrenia, and various types of cancers. The timely and accurate determination of neurotransmitter levels is essential for effectively diagnosing and monitoring of the diseases.

What is the role of biosensors?

Biosensors are analytical devices capable of converting a biological response into an electrical signal. Due to the rapid development of nanotechnology during the past decade, many new biosensors have been designed to detect neurotransmitters in chemical and biological samples.

Nanoparticles, owing to their small size, possess some unique physical and chemical characteristics which enable them to pass through biological barriers, and reach the target tissue, without exhibiting significant toxicity. Nanomaterials can also be conjugated with various medications, contrast agents, and other biological substances which can be useful in the design of more efficient bioassays. They have proven themselves to be more stable and sensitive than the traditional diagnostic methods.

In a recent edition of the Journal of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, a group of scientists from South Korea summarizes the recent advances of biosensors in neurotransmitter detection.

Glutamate

Glutamate, the most abundant neurotransmitter of all mammals, is involved in normal brain functions such as memory, learning, and cognition. It is distributed throughout the extracellular fluids of the brain. Brain injury can vary blood glutamate levels. Even a slight increase or decrease in the concentration of glutamate might cause neurological diseases such as schizophrenia, epilepsy, or Alzheimer’s diseases. Recent discoveries have demonstrated that carbon nanotube modified-platinum electrodes can accurately detect glutamate in liquid samples of isolated rat brain nerves.

Dopamine

Dopamine, the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter, controls various cardiovascular, hormonal, renal and central nervous system functions. Abnormal dopamine level causes severe neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. Scientists have developed biosensors for the selective monitoring of potassium ion-induced dopamine in human blood serum and urine samples. The sensing electrodes were coated with gold nanoparticles and silver nanowires to enhance the sensitivity and detection limit.

Serotonin

Serotonin, a monoamine neurotransmitter, contributes to feelings of well-being and happiness. Low serotonin levels have been linked to depression, whereas a high level of serotonin in the body may result in carcinoid syndrome. The presented method with a polymelamine-modified edge plane pyrolytic graphite biosensor provides an opportunity for qualitative and quantitative characterization and simultaneous determination of serotonin in spiked human serum and urine samples without the necessity of sample pretreatments or time-consuming extraction.

Biosensors are a promising technique for the detection of neurotransmitters. Further development of ultra-small, multiplexed, nanoarray, and label-free biosensors can contribute to the realization of clinical and pharmaceutical applications.

Written by Man-tik Choy, Ph.D

Reference: Moon, J.M. et al. 2018. Conducting polymer-based electrochemical biosensors for neurotransmitters: A review. Biosensors and Bioelectronics,102, 540-552. DOI 10.1016/j.bios.2017.11.069.

Man-tik Choy PhD
Man-tik Choy PhD
Man-Tik has a Ph.D. in Material Science and Engineering from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. His research focuses on pharmaceutical sciences, biomaterial design and development, and advanced manufacturing technologies. Man-Tik has developed a strong interest in knowledge discovery and sharing through his practical training in different joint research projects. He is excited to contribute to Medical News Bulletin and help the public to understand science more effectively. In his free time, Man-Tik enjoys reading novels and painting.
RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest News and Articles

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTERS

Stay Connected
10,288FansLike
820FollowersFollow
249FollowersFollow
2,787FollowersFollow

Article of the month

Do wearable sleep trackers work?

How well does your Fitbit track your sleep? Find out the truth about its accuracy and how it compares to clinical sleep studies.Quick FactsFitbit...

Joke Of The Day – December 11

One lady talking to another:In order to lose weight, my doctor prescribed me daily horseback riding. Does it work? Oh, yes! My horse...

ADVERTISE WITH US

error: Content is read-only and copy-protected.