Organic electrochemical transistor arrays for real-time mapping of evoked neurotransmitter release in vivo

Abstract

Though neurotransmitters are essential elements in neuronal signal transduction, techniques for in vivo analysis are still limited. Here, we describe an organic electrochemical transistor array (OECT-array) technique for monitoring catecholamine neurotransmitters (CA-NTs) in rat brains. The OECT-array is an active sensor with intrinsic amplification capability, allowing real-time and direct readout of transient CA-NT release with a sensitivity of nanomolar range and a temporal resolution of several milliseconds. The device has a working voltage lower than half of that typically used in a prevalent cyclic voltammetry measurement, and operates continuously in vivo for hours without significant signal drift, which is inaccessible for existing methods. With the OECT-array, we demonstrate simultaneous mapping of evoked dopamine release at multiple striatal brain regions in different physiological scenarios, and reveal a complex cross-talk between the mesolimbic and the nigrostriatal pathways, which is heterogeneously affected by the reciprocal innervation between ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra pars compacta.

PEDOT:PSS‐Based Bioelectronic Devices for Recording and Modulation of Electrophysiological and Biochemical Cell Signals

“…With their experiments, the authors could reveal a complex cross-talk between different signaling pathways in the brain (mesolimbic and the nigrostriatal pathways). [163] In addition, given that information processing in the brain is normally modulated by the neurotransmitters and the ionic fluxes through synapses, [164] the realization of bioinspired devices that are able to emulate the main processes of synaptic transmission and memorization have attracted intense scientific attention. [165] Gkoupidenis et al utilized OECTs as neuromorphic devices to realize neuromorphic functions similar to the basic short-term synaptic plasticity characteristics such as short-term depression, adaptation, and dynamic filtering.…”

Interfacing cells with organic transistors: a review ofin vitroandin vivoapplications

“…In most studies in this field, commercially available neurotransmitters are used as benchmark compounds to design OECT-based sensors for several molecules such as glutamate, acetylcholine 129 or dopamine with high selectivity. 130,131 Recently, Xie et al 132 developed an array of planar OECTs specifically designed for dopamine detection for in vivo applications. The researchers developed an OECT with a platinum gate electrode onto which some molecules, such as the catecholamine neurotransmitter (CA-NT) dopamine, can be oxidized into quinone with the release of two electrons.…”

Organic Bioelectronic Devices for Selective Biomarker Sensing : Towards Integration with Living Systems

“…to interface with the brain 33 or record neurotransmitters 21 . The integration of electronics, specifically OECTs, with the plant world is revealing a broad range of applications, from energy harvesting to plant physiology recording.…”

“…Biosensor innovation moved forward with the creation of DNA based sensors 15 , able to recognize complementary oligonucleotide strands and thus opening the way to genetic tests, and with the introduction of nanomaterials to enhance the biosensor performance 16,17 . Nowadays, biosensors are not necessarily confined to the laboratory bench and are ready to be interfaced directly with biological systems, under the form of wearable 18,19 or implantable sensors [20][21][22] .…”