Electrochemical Detection of Neurotransmitters in the Brain and Other Molecules with Biological Activity in the Nervous System: Dopamine Analysis

Abstract

Monitoring the appropriate functions of the brain is a priority when the diagnosis of neurological diseases is carried out. In this regard, there are different analytical techniques to detect neurotransmitters and other molecules with biological activity in the nervous system. Among several analytical procedures, electrochemical techniques are very important since they can be applied in situ, without loss of sensibility and/or minimal handling of samples. In addition, it is also possible to combine them with specific detectors designed on the basis of chemically-modified electrodes in order to improve detection limits by promoting molecular recognition capabilities at their surfaces, thus favoring the development of electrochemical detection in vivo by microelectrodes. In this mini-review, we will describe the major characteristics of this analytical method and its advantages for the detection of neurotransmitters (mostly dopamine) in vivo.