Title: Voltammetry: Electrochemical Detection of Neurotransmitters in the Brain
Abstract: Abstract Voltammetry is an electrochemical technique that capitalises on the ability of some substances to become oxidised or reduced. A variety of voltammetric methods have been developed for the detection of biogenic amines such as dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin in the brain. Each method differs in selectivity for the transmitter of interest and in temporal resolution. Of these, fast‐scan cyclic voltammetry ( FCV ) at carbon fibre electrodes has been used extensively for monitoring the evoked or spontaneous release of biogenic amines in various brain regions with temporal and spatial resolutions that capture extrasynaptic transmission. Studies in rodent and non‐rodent brain slices containing either monoamine cell bodies or axonal projections enable the dynamics of neurotransmitter release and its regulation by monoamine transporters, autoreceptors and local neuromodulators to be examined. Furthermore, rapid detection of release in freely moving animals can reveal the role of biogenic amines in motivated behaviour. Key Concepts Dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin are the major biogenic amine transmitters in the brain. Voltammetry is an electrochemical method that detects the current generated when an electroactive molecule is oxidised; the current generated is directly proportional to the number of molecules oxidised. Many biologically active substances are electroactive and therefore possess the ability to become oxidised or reduced when a sufficient voltage is applied at a suitable electrochemical electrode. Carbon fibre microelectrodes are excellent electrochemical sensors for monitoring biogenic amines in the brain. Fast‐scan cyclic voltammetry (FCV) at carbon fibre microelectrode sensors resolves electroactive compounds by way of their peak oxidation and/or reduction potentials, and is the most popular voltammetric method used to detect neurotransmitter release. Studies of biogenic amine release regulation using FCV have made significant contributions to our present understanding of neurotransmitter release regulation and the role of monoamines in normal and pathological conditions. Brain slices have been used extensively for studies of monoamine release regulation using voltammetric methods.
Publication Year: 2016
Publication Date: 2016-01-15
Language: en
Type: other
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 3
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