Physiologically relevant changes in serotonin resolved by fast microdialysis

A high-precision view of intercompartmental drug transport via simultaneous, seconds-resolved, in situ measurements in the vein and brain

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The ability to measure specific molecules at multiple sites within the body simultaneously, and with a time resolution of seconds, could greatly advance our understanding of drug transport and elimination.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

As a proof-of-principle demonstration, here we describe the use of electrochemical aptamer-based (EAB) sensors to measure transport of the antibiotic vancomycin from the plasma (measured in the jugular vein) to the cerebrospinal fluid (measured in the lateral ventricle) of live rats with temporal resolution of a few seconds.

KEY RESULTS

In our first efforts, we made measurements solely in the ventricle. Doing so we find that, although the collection of hundreds of concentration values over a single drug lifetime enables high-precision estimates of the parameters describing intracranial transport, due to a mathematical equivalence, the data produce two divergent descriptions of the drug's plasma pharmacokinetics that fit the in-brain observations equally well. The simultaneous collection of intravenous measurements, however, resolves this ambiguity, enabling high-precision (typically of ±5 to ±20% at 95% confidence levels) estimates of the key pharmacokinetic parameters describing transport from the blood to the cerebrospinal fluid in individual animals.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The availability of simultaneous, high-density 'in-vein' (plasma) and 'in-brain' (cerebrospinal fluid) measurements provides unique opportunities to explore the assumptions almost universally employed in earlier compartmental models of drug transport, allowing the quantitative assessment of, for example, the pharmacokinetic effects of physiological processes such as the bulk transport of the drug out of the CNS via the dural venous sinuses.

The atypical antidepressant tianeptine confers neuroprotection against oxygen-glucose deprivation

Proregenerative and neuroprotective effects of antidepressants are an important topic of inquiry in neuropsychiatric research. Oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) mimics key aspects of ischemic injury in vitro. Here, we studied the effects of 24-h pretreatment with serotonin (5-HT), citalopram (CIT), fluoxetine (FLU), and tianeptine (TIA) on primary mouse cortical neurons subjected to transient OGD. 5-HT (50 μM) significantly enhanced neuron viability as measured by MTT assay and reduced cell death and LDH release. CIT (10 μM) and FLU (1 μM) did not increase the effects of 5-HT and neither antidepressant conferred neuroprotection in the absence of supplemental 5-HT in serum-free cell culture medium. By contrast, pre-treatment with TIA (10 μM) resulted in robust neuroprotection, even in the absence of 5-HT. Furthermore, TIA inhibited mRNA transcription of candidate genes related to cell death and hypoxia and attenuated lipid peroxidation, a hallmark of neuronal injury. Finally, deep RNA sequencing of primary neurons subjected to OGD demonstrated that OGD induces many pathways relating to cell survival, the inflammation-immune response, synaptic dysregulation and apoptosis, and that TIA pretreatment counteracted these effects of OGD. In conclusion, this study highlights the comparative strength of the 5-HT independent neuroprotective effects of TIA and identifies the molecular pathways involved.

Molecular Design of SERTlight: A Fluorescent Serotonin Probe for Neuronal Labeling in the Brain

The serotonergic transmitter system plays fundamental roles in the nervous system in neurotransmission, synaptic plasticity, pathological processes, and therapeutic effects of antidepressants and psychedelics, as well as in the gastrointestinal and circulatory systems. We introduce a novel small molecule fluorescent agent, termed SERTlight, that specifically labels serotonergic neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, and axonal projections as a serotonin transporter (SERT) fluorescent substrate. SERTlight was developed by an iterative molecular design process, based on an aminoethyl-quinolone system, to integrate structural elements that impart SERT substrate activity, sufficient fluorescent brightness, and a broad absence of pharmacological activity, including at serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5HT) receptors, other G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), ion channels, and monoamine transporters. The high labeling selectivity is not achieved by high affinity binding to SERT itself but rather by a sufficient rate of SERT-mediated transport of SERTlight, resulting in accumulation of these molecules in 5HT neurons and yielding a robust and selective optical signal in the mammalian brain. SERTlight provides a stable signal, as it is not released via exocytosis nor by reverse SERT transport induced by 5HT releasers such as MDMA. SERTlight is optically, pharmacologically, and operationally orthogonal to a wide range of genetically encoded sensors, enabling multiplexed imaging. SERTlight enables labeling of distal 5HT axonal projections and simultaneous imaging of the release of endogenous 5HT using the GRAB5HT sensor, providing a new versatile molecular tool for the study of the serotonergic system.

Advancements in Brain Research: The In Vivo/In Vitro Electrochemical Detection of Neurochemicals

Neurochemicals, crucial for nervous system function, influence vital bodily processes and their fluctuations are linked to neurodegenerative diseases and mental health conditions. Monitoring these compounds is pivotal, yet the intricate nature of the central nervous system poses challenges. Researchers have devised methods, notably electrochemical sensing with micro-nanoscale electrodes, offering high-resolution monitoring despite low concentrations and rapid changes. Implantable sensors enable precise detection in brain tissues with minimal damage, while microdialysis-coupled platforms allow in vivo sampling and subsequent in vitro analysis, addressing the selectivity issues seen in other methods. While lacking temporal resolution, techniques like HPLC and CE complement electrochemical sensing's selectivity, particularly for structurally similar neurochemicals. This review covers essential neurochemicals and explores miniaturized electrochemical sensors for brain analysis, emphasizing microdialysis integration. It discusses the pros and cons of these techniques, forecasting electrochemical sensing's future in neuroscience research. Overall, this comprehensive review outlines the evolution, strengths, and potential applications of electrochemical sensing in the study of neurochemicals, offering insights into future advancements in the field.

Techniques for Measurement of Serotonin: Implications in Neuropsychiatric Disorders and Advances in Absolute Value Recording Methods

Serotonin (5-HT) is a monoamine neurotransmitter in the peripheral, enteric, and central nervous systems (CNS). Within the CNS, serotonin is principally involved in mood regulation and reward-seeking behaviors. It is a critical regulator in CNS pathologies such as major depressive disorder, addiction, and schizophrenia. Consequently, in vivo serotonin measurements within the CNS have emerged as one of many promising approaches to investigating the pathogenesis, progression, and treatment of these and other neuropsychiatric conditions. These techniques vary in methods, ranging from analyte sampling with microdialysis to voltammetry. Provided this diversity in approach, inherent differences between techniques are inevitable. These include biosensor size, temporal/spatial resolution, and absolute value measurement capabilities, all of which must be considered to fit the prospective researcher's needs. In this review, we summarize currently available methods for the measurement of serotonin, including novel voltammetric absolute value measurement techniques. We also detail serotonin's role in various neuropsychiatric conditions, highlighting the role of phasic and tonic serotonergic neuronal firing within each where relevant. Lastly, we briefly review the present clinical application of these techniques and discuss the potential of a closed-loop monitoring and neuromodulation system utilizing deep brain stimulation (DBS).

Microcontact printing of choline oxidase using a polycation-functionalized zwitterionic polymer as enzyme immobilization matrix

Highly sensitive and selective choline microbiosensors were constructed by microcontact printing (μCP) of choline oxidase (ChOx) in a crosslinked, polyamine-functionalized zwitterionic polymer matrix on microelectrode arrays (MEAs). μCP has emerged as a potential means to create implantable, multiplexed sensor microprobes, which requires the targeted deposition of different sensor materials to specific microelectrode sites on a MEA. However, the less than sufficient enzyme loading and inadequate spatial resolution achieved with current μCP approaches has limited adoption of the method for electroenzymatic microsensors. A novel polymer, poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine)-g-poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PMPC-g-PAH), has been developed to address this challenge. PMPC-g-PAH contributes to a higher viscosity "ink" that enables thicker immobilized ChOx deposits of high spatial resolution while also providing a hydrophilic, biocompatible microenvironment for the enzyme. Electroenzymatic choline microbiosensors with sensitivity of 639 ± 96 nA μM-1 cm-2 (pH 7.4; n = 4) were constructed that also are selective against both ascorbic acid and dopamine, which are potential electroactive interfering compounds in the mammalian brain. The high sensitivities achieved can lead to smaller MEA microprobes that minimize tissue damage and make possible the monitoring of multiple neurochemicals simultaneously in vivo with high spatial resolution.

Field effect transistor based wearable biosensors for healthcare monitoring

The rapid advancement of wearable biosensors has revolutionized healthcare monitoring by screening in a non-invasive and continuous manner. Among various sensing techniques, field-effect transistor (FET)-based wearable biosensors attract increasing attention due to their advantages such as label-free detection, fast response, easy operation, and capability of integration. This review explores the innovative developments and applications of FET-based wearable biosensors for healthcare monitoring. Beginning with an introduction to the significance of wearable biosensors, the paper gives an overview of structural and operational principles of FETs, providing insights into their diverse classifications. Next, the paper discusses the fabrication methods, semiconductor surface modification techniques and gate surface functionalization strategies. This background lays the foundation for exploring specific FET-based biosensor designs, including enzyme, antibody and nanobody, aptamer, as well as ion-sensitive membrane sensors. Subsequently, the paper investigates the incorporation of FET-based biosensors in monitoring biomarkers present in physiological fluids such as sweat, tears, saliva, and skin interstitial fluid (ISF). Finally, we address challenges, technical issues, and opportunities related to FET-based biosensor applications. This comprehensive review underscores the transformative potential of FET-based wearable biosensors in healthcare monitoring. By offering a multidimensional perspective on device design, fabrication, functionalization and applications, this paper aims to serve as a valuable resource for researchers in the field of biosensing technology and personalized healthcare.

Truncated Electrochemical Aptasensor with Enhanced Antifouling Capability for Highly Sensitive Serotonin Detection

Accurate determination of serotonin (ST) provides insight into neurological processes and enables applications in clinical diagnostics of brain diseases. Herein, we present an electrochemical aptasensor based on truncated DNA aptamers and a polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecule-functionalized sensing interface for highly sensitive and selective ST detection. The truncated aptamers have a small size and adopt a stable stem-loop configuration, which improves the accessibility of the aptamer for the analyte and enhances the sensitivity of the aptasensor. Upon target binding, these aptamers perform a conformational change, leading to a variation in the Faraday current of the redox tag, which was recorded by square wave voltammetry (SWV). Using PEG as blocking molecules minimizes nonspecific adsorption of other interfering molecules and thus endows an enhanced antifouling ability. The proposed electrochemical aptamer sensor showed a wide range of detection lasting from 0.1 nM to 1000 nM with a low limit of detection of 0.14 nM. Owing to the unique properties of aptamer receptors, the aptasensor also exhibits high selectivity and stability. Furthermore, with the reduced unspecific adsorption, assaying of ST in human serum and artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) showed excellent performance. The reported strategy of utilizing antifouling PEG describes a novel approach to building antifouling aptasensors and holds great potential for neurochemical investigations and clinical diagnosis.

High-precision monitoring of and feedback control over drug concentrations in the brains of freely moving rats

Knowledge of drug concentrations in the brains of behaving subjects remains constrained on a number of dimensions, including poor temporal resolution and lack of real-time data. Here, however, we demonstrate the ability of electrochemical aptamer-based sensors to support seconds-resolved, real-time measurements of drug concentrations in the brains of freely moving rats. Specifically, using such sensors, we achieve <4 μM limits of detection and 10-s resolution in the measurement of procaine in the brains of freely moving rats, permitting the determination of the pharmacokinetics and concentration-behavior relations of the drug with high precision for individual subjects. In parallel, we have used closed-loop feedback-controlled drug delivery to hold intracranial procaine levels constant (±10%) for >1.5 hours. These results demonstrate the utility of such sensors in (i) the determination of the site-specific, seconds-resolved neuropharmacokinetics, (ii) enabling the study of individual subject neuropharmacokinetics and concentration-response relations, and (iii) performing high-precision control over intracranial drug levels.

Flexible and Implantable Polyimide Aptamer-Field-Effect Transistor Biosensors

Monitoring neurochemical signaling across time scales is critical to understanding how brains encode and store information. Flexible (vs stiff) devices have been shown to improve in vivo monitoring, particularly over longer times, by reducing tissue damage and immunological responses. Here, we report our initial steps toward developing flexible and implantable neuroprobes with aptamer-field-effect transistor (FET) biosensors for neurotransmitter monitoring. A high-throughput process was developed to fabricate thin, flexible polyimide probes using microelectromechanical-system (MEMS) technologies, where 150 flexible probes were fabricated on each 4 in. Si wafer. Probes were 150 μm wide and 7 μm thick with two FETs per tip. The bending stiffness was 1.2 × 10^-11 N·m². Semiconductor thin films (3 nm In₂O₃) were functionalized with DNA aptamers for target recognition, which produces aptamer conformational rearrangements detected via changes in FET conductance. Flexible aptamer-FET neuroprobes detected serotonin at femtomolar concentrations in high-ionic strength artificial cerebrospinal fluid. A straightforward implantation process was developed, where microfabricated Si carrier devices assisted with implantation such that flexible neuroprobes detected physiological relevant serotonin in a tissue-hydrogel brain mimic.

Flexible Glassy Carbon Multielectrode Array for In Vivo Multisite Detection of Tonic and Phasic Dopamine Concentrations

Dopamine (DA) plays a central role in the modulation of various physiological brain functions, including learning, motivation, reward, and movement control. The DA dynamic occurs over multiple timescales, including fast phasic release, as a result of neuronal firing and slow tonic release, which regulates the phasic firing. Real-time measurements of tonic and phasic DA concentrations in the living brain can shed light on the mechanism of DA dynamics underlying behavioral and psychiatric disorders and on the action of pharmacological treatments targeting DA. Current state-of-the-art in vivo DA detection technologies are limited in either spatial or temporal resolution, channel count, longitudinal stability, and ability to measure both phasic and tonic dynamics. We present here an implantable glassy carbon (GC) multielectrode array on a SU-8 flexible substrate for integrated multichannel phasic and tonic measurements of DA concentrations. The GC MEA demonstrated in vivo multichannel fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) detection of electrically stimulated phasic DA release simultaneously at different locations of the mouse dorsal striatum. Tonic DA measurement was enabled by coating GC electrodes with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/carbon nanotube (PEDOT/CNT) and using optimized square-wave voltammetry (SWV). Implanted PEDOT/CNT-coated MEAs achieved stable detection of tonic DA concentrations for up to 3 weeks in the mouse dorsal striatum. This is the first demonstration of implantable flexible MEA capable of multisite electrochemical sensing of both tonic and phasic DA dynamics in vivo with chronic stability.

Letting the little light of mind shine: Advances and future directions in neurochemical detection

Synaptic transmission via neurochemical release is the fundamental process that integrates and relays encoded information in the brain to regulate physiological function, cognition, and emotion. To unravel the biochemical, biophysical, and computational mechanisms of signal processing, one needs to precisely measure the neurochemical release dynamics with molecular and cell-type specificity and high resolution. Here we reviewed the development of analytical, electrochemical, and fluorescence imaging approaches to detect neurotransmitter and neuromodulator release. We discussed the advantages and practicality in implementation of each technology for ease-of-use, flexibility for multimodal studies, and challenges for future optimization. We hope this review will provide a versatile guide for tool engineering and applications for recording neurochemical release.

Optogenetic Stimulation of Midbrain Dopamine Neurons Produces Striatal Serotonin Release

Targeting neurons with light-driven opsins is widely used to investigate cell-specific responses. We transfected midbrain dopamine neurons with the excitatory opsin Chrimson. Extracellular basal and stimulated neurotransmitter levels in the dorsal striatum were measured by microdialysis in awake mice. Optical activation of dopamine cell bodies evoked terminal dopamine release in the striatum. Multiplexed analysis of dialysate samples revealed that the evoked dopamine was accompanied by temporally coupled increases in striatal 3-methoxytyramine, an extracellular dopamine metabolite, and in serotonin. We investigated a mechanism for dopamine-serotonin interactions involving striatal dopamine receptors. However, the evoked serotonin associated with optical stimulation of dopamine neurons was not abolished by striatal D1- or D2-like receptor inhibition. Although the mechanisms underlying the coupling of striatal dopamine and serotonin remain unclear, these findings illustrate advantages of multiplexed measurements for uncovering functional interactions between neurotransmitter systems. Furthermore, they suggest that the output of optogenetic manipulations may extend beyond opsin-expressing neuronal populations.

Implantable aptamer-field-effect transistor neuroprobes for in vivo neurotransmitter monitoring

While tools for monitoring in vivo electrophysiology have been extensively developed, neurochemical recording technologies remain limited. Nevertheless, chemical communication via neurotransmitters plays central roles in brain information processing. We developed implantable aptamer–field-effect transistor (FET) neuroprobes for monitoring neurotransmitters. Neuroprobes were fabricated using high-throughput microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technologies, where 150 probes with shanks of either 150- or 50-μm widths and thicknesses were fabricated on 4-inch Si wafers. Nanoscale FETs with ultrathin (~3 to 4 nm) In₂O₃ semiconductor films were prepared using sol-gel processing. The In₂O₃ surfaces were coupled with synthetic oligonucleotide receptors (aptamers) to recognize and to detect the neurotransmitter serotonin. Aptamer-FET neuroprobes enabled femtomolar serotonin detection limits in brain tissue with minimal biofouling. Stimulated serotonin release was detected in vivo. This study opens opportunities for integrated neural activity recordings at high spatiotemporal resolution by combining these aptamer-FET sensors with other types of Si-based implantable probes to advance our understanding of brain function.

Simultaneous serotonin and dopamine monitoring across timescales by rapid pulse voltammetry with partial least squares regression

Many voltammetry methods have been developed to monitor brain extracellular dopamine levels. Fewer approaches have been successful in detecting serotonin in vivo. No voltammetric techniques are currently available to monitor both neurotransmitters simultaneously across timescales, even though they play integrated roles in modulating behavior. We provide proof-of-concept for rapid pulse voltammetry coupled with partial least squares regression (RPV-PLSR), an approach adapted from multi-electrode systems (i.e., electronic tongues) used to identify multiple components in complex environments. We exploited small differences in analyte redox profiles to select pulse steps for RPV waveforms. Using an intentionally designed pulse strategy combined with custom instrumentation and analysis software, we monitored basal and stimulated levels of dopamine and serotonin. In addition to faradaic currents, capacitive currents were important factors in analyte identification arguing against background subtraction. Compared to fast-scan cyclic voltammetry-principal components regression (FSCV-PCR), RPV-PLSR better differentiated and quantified basal and stimulated dopamine and serotonin associated with striatal recording electrode position, optical stimulation frequency, and serotonin reuptake inhibition. The RPV-PLSR approach can be generalized to other electrochemically active neurotransmitters and provides a feedback pipeline for future optimization of multi-analyte, fit-for-purpose waveforms and machine learning approaches to data analysis.

Miniaturized probe on polymer SU-8 with array of individually addressable microelectrodes for electrochemical analysis in neural and other biological tissues

An SU-8 probe with an array of nine, individually addressable gold microband electrodes (100 μm long, 4 μm wide, separated by 4-μm gaps) was photolithographically fabricated and characterized for detection of low concentrations of chemicals in confined spaces and in vivo studies of biological tissues. The probe's shank (6 mm long, 100 μm wide, 100 μm thick) is flexible, but exhibits sufficient sharpness and rigidity to be inserted into soft tissue. Laser micromachining was used to define probe geometry by spatially revealing the underlying sacrificial aluminum layer, which was then etched to free the probes from a silicon wafer. Perfusion with fluorescent nanobeads showed that, like a carbon fiber electrode, the probe produced no noticeable damage when inserted into rat brain, in contrast to damage from an inserted microdialysis probe. The individual addressability of the electrodes allows single and multiple electrode activation. Redox cycling is possible, where adjacent electrodes serve as generators (that oxidize or reduce molecules) and collectors (that do the opposite) to amplify signals of small concentrations without background subtraction. Information about electrochemical mechanisms and kinetics may also be obtained. Detection limits for potassium ferricyanide in potassium chloride electrolyte of 2.19, 1.25, and 2.08 μM and for dopamine in artificial cerebral spinal fluid of 1.94, 1.08, and 5.66 μM for generators alone and for generators and collectors during redox cycling, respectively, were obtained.

Imaging in vivo acetylcholine release in the peripheral nervous system with a fluorescent nanosensor

The ability to monitor the release of neurotransmitters during synaptic transmission would significantly impact the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases. Here, we present a DNA-based enzymatic nanosensor for quantitative detection of acetylcholine (ACh) in the peripheral nervous system of living mice. ACh nanosensors consist of DNA as a scaffold, acetylcholinesterase as a recognition component, pH-sensitive fluorophores as signal generators, and α-bungarotoxin as a targeting moiety. We demonstrate the utility of the nanosensors in the submandibular ganglia of living mice to sensitively detect ACh ranging from 0.228 to 358 μM. In addition, the sensor response upon electrical stimulation of the efferent nerve is dose dependent, reversible, and we observe a reduction of ∼76% in sensor signal upon pharmacological inhibition of ACh release. Equipped with an advanced imaging processing tool, we further spatially resolve ACh signal propagation on the tissue level. Our platform enables sensitive measurement and mapping of ACh transmission in the peripheral nervous system.

Aptamer Conformational Change Enables Serotonin Biosensing with Nanopipettes

We report artificial nanopores in the form of quartz nanopipettes with ca. 10 nm orifices functionalized with molecular recognition elements termed aptamers that reversibly recognize serotonin with high specificity and selectivity. Nanoscale confinement of ion fluxes, analyte-specific aptamer conformational changes, and related surface charge variations enable serotonin sensing. We demonstrate detection of physiologically relevant serotonin amounts in complex environments such as neurobasal media, in which neurons are cultured in vitro. In addition to sensing in physiologically relevant matrices with high sensitivity (picomolar detection limits), we interrogate the detection mechanism via complementary techniques such as quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Moreover, we provide a novel theoretical model for structure-switching aptamer-modified nanopipette systems that supports experimental findings. Validation of specific and selective small-molecule detection, in parallel with mechanistic investigations, demonstrates the potential of conformationally changing aptamer-modified nanopipettes as rapid, label-free, and translatable nanotools for diverse biological systems.

Recent Advances in In Vivo Neurochemical Monitoring

The brain is a complex network that accounts for only 5% of human mass but consumes 20% of our energy. Uncovering the mysteries of the brain's functions in motion, memory, learning, behavior, and mental health remains a hot but challenging topic. Neurochemicals in the brain, such as neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, gliotransmitters, hormones, and metabolism substrates and products, play vital roles in mediating and modulating normal brain function, and their abnormal release or imbalanced concentrations can cause various diseases, such as epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. A wide range of techniques have been used to probe the concentrations of neurochemicals under normal, stimulated, diseased, and drug-induced conditions in order to understand the neurochemistry of drug mechanisms and develop diagnostic tools or therapies. Recent advancements in detection methods, device fabrication, and new materials have resulted in the development of neurochemical sensors with improved performance. However, direct in vivo measurements require a robust sensor that is highly sensitive and selective with minimal fouling and reduced inflammatory foreign body responses. Here, we review recent advances in neurochemical sensor development for in vivo studies, with a focus on electrochemical and optical probes. Other alternative methods are also compared. We discuss in detail the in vivo challenges for these methods and provide an outlook for future directions.

A microfluidic chip for on-line derivatization and application to in vivo neurochemical monitoring

Microfluidic chips can perform a broad range of automated fluid manipulation operations for chemical analysis including on-line reactions. Derivatization reactions carried out on-chip reduce manual sample preparation and improve experimental throughput. In this work we develop a chip for on-line benzoyl chloride derivatization coupled to microdialysis, an in vivo sampling technique. Benzoyl chloride derivatization is useful for the analysis of small molecule neurochemicals in complex biological matrices using HPLC-MS/MS. The addition of one or more benzoyl groups to small, polar compounds containing amines, phenols, thiols, and certain alcohols improves reversed phase chromatographic retention, electrospray ionization efficiency, and analyte stability. The current derivatization protocol requires a three-step manual sample preparation, which ultimately limits the utility of this method for rapid sample collection and large sample sets. A glass microfluidic chip was developed for derivatizing microdialysis fractions on-line as they exit the probe for collection and off-line analysis with HPLC-MS/MS. Calibration curves for 21 neurochemicals prepared using the on-chip method showed linearity (R² > 0.99), limits of detection (0.1-500 nM), and peak area RSDs (4-14%) comparable to manual derivatization. Method temporal resolution was investigated both in vitro and in vivo showing rapid rise times for all analytes, which was limited by fraction length (3 min) rather than the device. The platform was applied to basal measurements in the striatum of awake rats where 19 of 21 neurochemicals were above the limit of detection. For a typical 2 h study, a minimum of 120 pipetting steps are eliminated per animal. Such a device provides a useful tool for the analysis of small molecules in biological matrices which may extend beyond microdialysis to other sampling techniques.

Electroenzymatic choline sensing at near the theoretical performance limit

A high performance, electroenzymatic microsensor for choline based on choline oxidase (ChOx) immobilized on Pt coated with permselective polymer layers has been created that exhibits sensitivity approaching the theoretical performance limit. Sensor construction was guided by simulations performed with a detailed mathematical model. Implantable microsensors with an array of electroenzymatic sensing sites provide a means to record concentration changes of choline, an effective surrogate for acetylcholine due to its very rapid turnover in the brain, and other neurochemicals in vivo. However, electroenzymatic sensors generally have insufficient sensitivity and response time to monitor neurotransmitter signaling on the millisecond timescale with cellular-level spatial resolution. Model simulations suggested that choline sensor performance can be improved significantly by optimizing immobilized ChOx layer thickness and minimizing the thicknesses of permselective polymer coatings as well. Electroenzymatic choline sensors constructed with a ∼5 μm-thick crosslinked ChOx layer atop 200 nm-thick permselective films (poly(m-phenylenediamine) and Nafion) exhibited unprecedented sensitivity and response time of 660 ± 40 nA μM^-1 cm^-2 at 37 °C and 0.36 ± 0.05 s, respectively, while maintaining excellent selectivity. Such performance characteristics provide greater flexibility in the design of microelectrode array (MEA) probes with near cellular-scale sensing sites arranged in more dense arrays. Also, faster response times enable better resolution of transient acetylcholine signals and better correlation of these events with electrophysiological recordings so as to advance study of brain function.

Narrower Nanoribbon Biosensors Fabricated by Chemical Lift-off Lithography Show Higher Sensitivity

Wafer-scale nanoribbon field-effect transistor (FET) biosensors fabricated by straightforward top-down processes are demonstrated as sensing platforms with high sensitivity to a broad range of biological targets. Nanoribbons with 350 nm widths (700 nm pitch) were patterned by chemical lift-off lithography using high-throughput, low-cost commercial digital versatile disks (DVDs) as masters. Lift-off lithography was also used to pattern ribbons with 2 μm or 20 μm widths (4 or 40 μm pitches, respectively) using masters fabricated by photolithography. For all widths, highly aligned, quasi-one-dimensional (1D) ribbon arrays were produced over centimeter length scales by sputtering to deposit 20 nm thin-film In₂O₃ as the semiconductor. Compared to 20 μm wide microribbons, FET sensors with 350 nm wide nanoribbons showed higher sensitivity to pH over a broad range (pH 5 to 10). Nanoribbon FETs functionalized with a serotonin-specific aptamer demonstrated larger responses to equimolar serotonin in high ionic strength buffer than those of microribbon FETs. Field-effect transistors with 350 nm wide nanoribbons functionalized with single-stranded DNA showed greater sensitivity to detecting complementary DNA hybridization vs 20 μm microribbon FETs. In all, we illustrate facile fabrication and use of large-area, uniform In₂O₃ nanoribbon FETs for ion, small-molecule, and oligonucleotide detection where higher surface-to-volume ratios translate to better detection sensitivities.

Dexamethasone-Enhanced Microdialysis and Penetration Injury

Microdialysis probes, electrochemical microsensors, and neural prosthetics are often used for in vivo monitoring, but these are invasive devices that are implanted directly into brain tissue. Although the selectivity, sensitivity, and temporal resolution of these devices have been characterized in detail, less attention has been paid to the impact of the trauma they inflict on the tissue or the effect of any such trauma on the outcome of the measurements they are used to perform. Factors affecting brain tissue reaction to the implanted devices include: the mechanical trauma during insertion, the foreign body response, implantation method, and physical properties of the device (size, shape, and surface characteristics. Modulation of the immune response is an important step toward making these devices with reliable long-term performance. Local release of anti-inflammatory agents such as dexamethasone (DEX) are often used to mitigate the foreign body response. In this article microdialysis is used to locally deliver DEX to the surrounding brain tissue. This work discusses the immune response resulting from microdialysis probe implantation. We briefly review the principles of microdialysis and the applications of DEX with microdialysis in (i) neuronal devices, (ii) dopamine and fast scan cyclic voltammetry, (iii) the attenuation of microglial cells, (iv) macrophage polarization states, and (v) spreading depolarizations. The difficulties and complexities in these applications are herein discussed.

Glucocorticoids in the Physiological and Transcriptional Regulation of 5-HT1A Receptor and the Pathogenesis of Depression

There is growing increase in the global prevalence of depression, but treatment outcome of this highly disabling disease is not satisfactory. Many patients are not benefitted by the currently prescribed antidepressants-together with this partial remission is very common. Improving treatment strategies and developing better therapeutic agents for treating depression is therefore highly needed. Stress-related epigenetic changes play a critical role in the pathogenesis as well as treatment of depression. Stressful events activate hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to increase circulating levels of glucocorticoids (GCs), and a greater sensitivity to this fright and flight response increases risk of depression. A role of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) in responses to stress and in the pathogenesis and treatment of depression is well established. Substantial evidence supports a critical role of 5-HT1A receptors in these effects of 5-HT. The present article targets stress-induced higher and sustained increases of GCs and mediated influences on the physiological as well transcriptional regulation of 5-HT1A receptors to evaluate their causal role in the pathogenesis of depression. It is suggested that synthetic compounds with antagonist activity for GC receptors and agonist activity for 5-HT1A receptors may prove better therapeutic agents for treating depression.

Evaluation of electrochemical methods for tonic dopamine detection in vivo

Dysfunction in dopaminergic neuronal systems underlie a number of neurologic and psychiatric disorders such as Parkinson's disease, drug addiction, and schizophrenia. Dopamine systems communicate via two mechanisms, a fast "phasic" release (sub-second to second) that is related to salient stimuli and a slower "tonic" release (minutes to hours) that regulates receptor tone. Alterations in tonic levels are thought to be more critically important in enabling normal motor, cognitive, and motivational functions, and dysregulation in tonic dopamine levels are associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. Therefore, development of neurochemical recording techniques that enable rapid, selective, and quantitative measurements of changes in tonic extracellular levels are essential in determining the role of dopamine in both normal and disease states. Here, we review state-of-the-art advanced analytical techniques for in vivo detection of tonic levels, with special focus on electrochemical techniques for detection in humans.

Addressing the instability issue of dopamine during microdialysis: the determination of dopamine, serotonin, methamphetamine and its metabolites in rat brain

Dopamine is a catecholamine neurotransmitter that degrades rapidly in aqueous solutions; hence, its analysis following brain microdialysis is challenging. The aim of the current study was to develop and validate a new microdialysis coupled LC-MS/MS system with improved accuracy, precision, simplicity and turnaround time for dopamine, serotonin, methamphetamine, amphetamine, 4-hydroxymethamphetamine and 4-hydroxyamphetamine analysis in the brain. Dopamine degradation was studied with different stabilizing agents under different storage conditions. The modified microdialysis system was tested in vitro, and was optimized for best probe recovery, assessed by %gain. LC-MS/MS assay was developed and validated for the targeted compounds. Stabilizing agents (ascorbic acid, EDTA and acetic acid) as well as internal and cold standards were added on-line to the dialysate flow. Assay linearity range was 0.01-100 ng/mL, precision and accuracy passed criteria, and LOQ and LLOQ were 0.2 and 1.0 pg, respectively. The new microdialysis coupled LC-MS/MS system was used in Wistar rats striatum after 4 mg/kg subcutaneous methamphetamine. Methamphetamine rapidly distributed to rat striatum reaching an average ~200 ng/mL maximum, ~82.5 min post-dose. Amphetamine, followed by 4-hydroxymethamphetamine, was the most abundant metabolite. Dopamine was released following methamphetamine injection, while serotonin was not altered. In conclusion, we proposed and tested an innovative and simplified solution to improve stability, accuracy and turnover time to monitor unstable molecules, such as dopamine, by microdialysis.

Flexible Multiplexed In2O3 Nanoribbon Aptamer-Field-Effect Transistors for Biosensing

Flexible sensors are essential for advancing implantable and wearable bioelectronics toward monitoring chemical signals within and on the body. Developing biosensors for monitoring multiple neurotransmitters in real time represents a key in vivo application that will increase understanding of information encoded in brain neurochemical fluxes. Here, arrays of devices having multiple In₂O₃ nanoribbon field-effect transistors (FETs) were fabricated on 1.4-μm-thick polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates using shadow mask patterning techniques. Thin PET-FET devices withstood crumpling and bending such that stable transistor performance with high mobility was maintained over >100 bending cycles. Real-time detection of the small-molecule neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine was achieved by immobilizing recently identified high-affinity nucleic-acid aptamers on individual In₂O₃ nanoribbon devices. Limits of detection were 10 fM for serotonin and dopamine with detection ranges spanning eight orders of magnitude. Simultaneous sensing of temperature, pH, serotonin, and dopamine enabled integration of physiological and neurochemical data from individual bioelectronic devices.

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We fabricated flexible In₂O₃ nanoribbon transistors using cleanroom-free processes

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Flexible In₂O₃ transistors withstood crumpling and bending with stable performance

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Flexible aptamer biosensors detect neurotransmitters in real time

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Multiplexed sensors monitor temperature, pH, serotonin, and dopamine simultaneously

High-throughput evolution of near-infrared serotonin nanosensors

Imaging neuromodulation with synthetic probes is an emerging technology for studying neurotransmission. However, most synthetic probes are developed through conjugation of fluorescent signal transducers to preexisting recognition moieties such as antibodies or receptors. We introduce a generic platform to evolve synthetic molecular recognition on the surface of near-infrared fluorescent single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) signal transducers. We demonstrate evolution of molecular recognition toward neuromodulator serotonin generated from large libraries of ~6.9 × 1010 unique ssDNA sequences conjugated to SWCNTs. This probe is reversible and produces a ~200% fluorescence enhancement upon exposure to serotonin with a K d = 6.3 μM, and shows selective responsivity over serotonin analogs, metabolites, and receptor-targeting drugs. Furthermore, this probe remains responsive and reversible upon repeat exposure to exogenous serotonin in the extracellular space of acute brain slices. Our results suggest that evolution of nanosensors could be generically implemented to develop other neuromodulator probes with synthetic molecular recognition.

High frequency, real-time neurochemical and neuropharmacological measurements in situ in the living body

The beautiful and complex brain machinery is perfectly synchronized, and our bodies have evolved to protect it against a myriad of potential threats. Shielded physically by the skull and chemically by the blood brain barrier, the brain processes internal and external information so that we can efficiently relate to the world that surrounds us while simultaneously and unconsciously controlling our vital functions. When coupled with the brittle nature of its internal chemical and electric signals, the brain's "armor" render accessing it a challenging and delicate endeavor that has historically limited our understanding of its structural and neurochemical intricacies. In this review, we briefly summarize the advancements made over the past 10 years to decode the brain's neurochemistry and neuropharmacology in situ, at the site of interest in the brain, with special focus on what we consider game-changing emerging technologies (eg, genetically encoded indicators and electrochemical aptamer-based sensors) and the challenges these must overcome before chronic, in situ chemosensing measurements become routine.

Use and Future Prospects of in Vivo Microdialysis for Epilepsy Studies

Epilepsy is a common neurological disease characterized by recurrent unpredictable seizures. For the last 30 years, microdialysis sampling has been used to measure changes in excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter concentrations before, during, and after seizures. These advances have fostered breakthroughs in epilepsy research by identifying neurochemical changes associated with seizures and correlating them to electrophysiological data. Recent advances in methodology may be useful in further delineating the chemical underpinnings of seizures. A new model of ictogenesis has been developed that allows greater control over the timing of seizures that are similar to spontaneous seizures. This model will facilitate making chemical measurements before and during a seizure. Recent advancements in microdialysis sampling, including the use of segmented flow, "fast" liquid chromatography (LC), and capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence (CE-LIF) have significantly improved temporal resolution to better than 1 min, which could be used to measure transient, spontaneous neurochemical changes associated with seizures. Microfabricated sampling probes that are markedly smaller than conventional probes and allow for a much greater spatial resolution have been developed. They may allow the targeting of specific brain regions important to epilepsy studies. Coupling microdialysis sampling to optogenetics and light-stimulated release of neurotransmitters may also prove useful for studying epileptic seizures.

Kappa Opioid Receptors Drive a Tonic Aversive Component of Chronic Pain

Pain is a multidimensional experience and negative affect, or how much the pain is "bothersome", significantly impacts the sufferers' quality of life. It is well established that the κ opioid system contributes to depressive and dysphoric states, but whether this system contributes to the negative affect precipitated by the occurrence of chronic pain remains tenuous. Using a model of persistent pain, we show by quantitative real-time-PCR, florescence in situ hybridization, Western blotting and GTPgS autoradiography an upregulation of expression and the function of κ opioid receptors (KORs) and its endogenous ligand dynorphin in the mesolimbic circuitry in animals with chronic pain compared with surgical controls. Using in vivo microdialysis and microinjection of drugs into the mesolimbic dopamine system, we demonstrate that inhibiting KORs reinstates evoked dopamine release and reward-related behaviors in chronic pain animals. Chronic pain enhanced KOR agonist-induced place aversion in a sex-dependent manner. Using various place preference paradigms, we show that activation of KORs drives pain aversive states in male but not female mice. However, KOR antagonist treatment was effective in alleviating anxiogenic and depressive affective-like behaviors in both sexes. Finally, ablation of KORs from dopamine neurons using AAV-TH-cre in KOR^loxP mice prevented pain-induced aversive states as measured by place aversion assays. Our results strongly support the use of KOR antagonists as therapeutic adjuvants to alleviate the emotional, tonic-aversive component of chronic pain, which is argued to be the most significant component of the pain experience that impacts patients' quality of life.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT We show that KORs are sufficient to drive the tonic-aversive component of chronic pain; the emotional component of pain that is argued to significantly impact a patient's quality of life. The impact of our study is broadly relevant to affective disorders associated with disruption of reward circuitry and thus likely contributes to many of the devastating sequelae of chronic pain, including the poor response to treatment of many patients, debilitating affective disorders (other disorders including anxiety and depression that demonstrate high comorbidity with chronic pain) and substance abuse. Indeed, coexisting psychopathology increases pain intensity, pain-related disability and effectiveness of treatments (Jamison and Edwards, 2013).

Brain Microdialysate Monoamines in Relation to Circadian Rhythms, Sleep, and Sleep Deprivation - a Systematic Review, Network Meta-analysis, and New Primary Data

Disruption of the monoaminergic system, e.g. by sleep deprivation (SD), seems to promote certain diseases. Assessment of monoamine levels over the circadian cycle, during different sleep stages and during SD is instrumental to understand the molecular dynamics during and after SD. To provide a complete overview of all available evidence, we performed a systematic review. A comprehensive search was performed for microdialysis and certain monoamines (dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline, adrenaline), certain monoamine metabolites (3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA)) and a precursor (5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)) in PubMed and EMBASE. After screening of the search results by two independent reviewers, 94 publications were included. All results were tabulated and described qualitatively. Network-meta analyses (NMAs) were performed to compare noradrenaline and serotonin concentrations between sleep stages. We further present experimental monoamine data from the medial prefrontal cortical (mPFC). Monoamine levels varied with brain region and circadian cycle. During sleep, monoamine levels generally decreased compared to wake. These qualitative observations were supported by the NMAs: noradrenaline and serotonin levels decreased from wakefulness to slow wave sleep and decreased further during Rapid Eye Movement sleep. In contrast, monoamine levels generally increased during SD, and sometimes remained high even during subsequent recovery. Decreases during or after SD were only reported for serotonin. In our experiment, SD did not affect any of the mPFC monoamine levels. Concluding, monoamine levels vary over the light-dark cycle and between sleep stages. SD modifies the patterns, with effects sometimes lasting beyond the SD period.

Aptamer-field-effect transistors overcome Debye length limitations for small-molecule sensing

Detection of analytes by means of field-effect transistors bearing ligand-specific receptors is fundamentally limited by the shielding created by the electrical double layer (the "Debye length" limitation). We detected small molecules under physiological high-ionic strength conditions by modifying printed ultrathin metal-oxide field-effect transistor arrays with deoxyribonucleotide aptamers selected to bind their targets adaptively. Target-induced conformational changes of negatively charged aptamer phosphodiester backbones in close proximity to semiconductor channels gated conductance in physiological buffers, resulting in highly sensitive detection. Sensing of charged and electroneutral targets (serotonin, dopamine, glucose, and sphingosine-1-phosphate) was enabled by specifically isolated aptameric stem-loop receptors.

The Roles of Serotonin in Decision-making under Social Group Conditions

People in a social group often have to make decisions under conflict, for instance, to conform to the group or obey authority (subjects at higher social rank in the group). The neural mechanisms underlying how social group setting affects decision-making have largely remained unclear. In this study, we designed novel behavioral tests using food access priority and fear conditioning paradigms that captured decision-making under conflict associated with social group environments in mice and examined the roles of serotonin (5-HT) on these processes. Using these behavioral tests, administration of the selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor, which increased 5-HT transmission, was found to attenuate conflicts in decision-making that may be associated with human cases of social obedience and conformity in mice under group housing. The results suggest that 5-HT plays important roles in the regulation of individual behaviors that organize social group dynamics.

Development of μ-Low-Flow-Push-Pull Perfusion Probes for Ex Vivo Sampling from Mouse Hippocampal Tissue Slices

This work demonstrates a reduced tip μ-low-flow-push-pull perfusion technique for ex vivo sampling of the extracellular space of mouse hippocampal brain slices. Concentric fused-silica capillary probes are pulled by an in-house gravity puller with a butane flame producing probe tips averaging an overall outer diameter of 30.3 ± 8 μm. The 10-30 nL/min perfusion flow rate through the probe generates an average recovery of 90%. Sampling was performed with mouse brain tissue slices to characterize basal neurotransmitter content in this model system. Samples were collected from hippocampal tissue slices at a volume of 200 nL per sample. Sample arginine, histamine, lysine, glycine, glutamate, and aspartate content was quantified by micellar electrokinetic chromatography with LED-induced fluorescence detection. Primary amine content was sampled over several hours to determine evidence for tissue damage and loss of extracellular content from the tissue slice. Overall, all amino acid concentrations trended lower as an effect of time relative to tissue slicing. There were significant concentration decreases seen for histamine, lysine, and aspartate between time points 0-2 and 2-6 h (p < 0.05) relative to tissue slicing. Analysis of averaged sampling experiments does not appear to reveal significant probe-insertion-related amino acid changes. The work presented shows the applicability of an 80% reduction of probe tip size relative to previous designs for the collection of extracellular content from thin tissue slices.

Monitoring Dopamine Responses to Potassium Ion and Nomifensine by in Vivo Microdialysis with Online Liquid Chromatography at One-Minute Resolution

Recently, our laboratory has demonstrated the technical feasibility of monitoring dopamine at 1 min temporal resolution with microdialysis and online liquid chromatography. Here, we monitor dopamine in the rat striatum during local delivery of high potassium/low sodium or nomifensine in awake-behaving rats. Microdialysis probes were implanted and perfused continuously with or without dexamethasone in the perfusion fluid for 4 days. Dexamethasone is an anti-inflammatory agent that exhibits several positive effects on the apparent health of the brain tissue surrounding microdialysis probes. Dopamine was monitored 1 or 4 days after implantation under basal conditions, during 10 min applications of 60 mM or 100 mM K⁺, and during 15 min applications of 10 μM nomifensine. High K⁺ and nomifensine were delivered locally by adding them to the microdialysis perfusion fluid using a computer-controlled, low-dead-volume six-port valve. Each day/K⁺/dexamethasone combination elicited specific dopamine responses. Dexamethasone treatment increased dopamine levels in basal dialysates (i.e., in the absence of K⁺ or nomifensine). Applications of 60 mM K⁺ evoked distinct responses on days one and four after probe implantation, depending upon the presence or absence of dexamethasone, consistent with dexamethasone's ability to mitigate the traumatic effect of probe implantation. Applications of 100 mM K⁺ evoked dramatic oscillations in dopamine levels that correlated with changes in the field potential at a metal electrode implanted adjacent to the microdialysis probe. This combination of results indicates the role of spreading depolarization in response to 100 mM K⁺. With 1 min temporal resolution, we find that it is possible to characterize the pharmacokinetics of the response to the local delivery of nomifensine. Overall, the findings reported here confirm the benefits arising from the ability to monitor dopamine via microdialysis at high sensitivity and at high temporal resolution.

Enhanced Intracranial Microdialysis by Reduction of Traumatic Penetration Injury at the Probe Track

Microdialysis provides deep insight into chemical neuroscience by enabling in vivo intracranial chemical monitoring. Nevertheless, implanting a microdialysis probe causes a traumatic penetration injury (TPI) of brain tissue at the probe track. The TPI, which is clearly documented by voltammetry and histochemical imaging, is a drawback because it perturbs the exact tissue from which the brain dialysate samples are derived. Our goal is to reduce, if not eventually eliminate, the TPI and its detrimental effects on neurochemical monitoring. Here, we demonstrate that combining a 5-day wait period after probe implantation with the continuous retrodialysis of a low-micromolar concentration of dexamethasone vastly reduces the TPI. Our approach to reducing the TPI reinstates normal evoked dopamine release activity in the tissue adjacent to the microdialysis probe, brings evoked dopamine release at the probe outlet into quantitative agreement with evoked dopamine release next to the probe, reinstates normal immunoreactivity for tyrosine hydroxylase and the dopamine transporter near the probe track, and greatly suppresses glial activation and scaring near the probe track. This reduction of the TPI and reinstatement of normal evoked dopamine release activity adjacent to the probe track appears to be due to dexamethasone's anti-inflammatory actions.

Differential Uptake Mechanisms of Fluorescent Substrates into Stem-Cell-Derived Serotonergic Neurons

The actions of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine are partly terminated by diffusion and in part by their uptake into neurons via the selective, high-affinity transporters for serotonin (SERT), dopamine (DAT), and norepinephrine (NET), respectively. There is also growing evidence that all three monoamines are taken up into neurons by low-affinity, high-capacity organic cation transporters (OCT) and the plasma membrane monoamine transporter (PMAT). Pharmacological characterization of these low-affinity recombinant transporter proteins in heterologous expression systems has revealed that they are not antagonized by classical inhibitors of SERT, DAT, or NET but that decynium-22 (D22) antagonizes OCT3 and PMAT, whereas corticosterone and progesterone selectively inhibit OCT3. Here, we show that SERT, PMAT, and OCT3, but not OCT1 and OCT2, are coexpressed in murine stem cell-derived serotonergic neurons. Using selective antagonists, we provide evidence that uptake of the fluorescent substrates FFN511, ASP+, and 5-HT into stem cell-derived serotonergic neurons is mediated differentially by these transporters and also involves an as yet unknown transport mechanism.

Sex- and SERT-mediated differences in stimulated serotonin revealed by fast microdialysis

In vivo microdialysis is widely used to investigate how neurotransmitter levels in the brain respond to biologically relevant challenges. Here, we combined recent improvements in the temporal resolution of online sampling and analysis for serotonin with a brief high-K(+) stimulus paradigm to study the dynamics of evoked release. We observed stimulated serotonin overflow with high-K(+) pulses as short as 1 min when determined with 2-min dialysate sampling in ventral striatum. Stimulated serotonin levels in female mice during the high estrogen period of the estrous cycle were similar to serotonin levels in male mice. By contrast, stimulated serotonin overflow during the low estrogen period in female mice was increased to levels similar to those in male mice with local serotonin transporter (SERT) inhibition. Stimulated serotonin levels in mice with constitutive loss of SERT were considerably higher yet, pointing to neuroadaptive potentiation of serotonin release. When combined with brief K(+) stimulation, fast microdialysis reveals dynamic changes in extracellular serotonin levels associated with normal hormonal cycles and pharmacologic vs genetic loss of SERT function.

Why Optogenetics Needs in Vivo Neurochemistry

In neuroscience, the consequences of optogenetic manipulation are often studied using in vivo electrophysiology and by observing behavioral changes induced by light stimulation in genetically targeted rodents. In contrast, reports on the in vivo neurochemical effects of optogenetic stimulation are scarce despite the improving quality of analytical techniques available to monitor biochemical compounds involved in neurotransmission. This intriguing lack of neurochemical information suggests the existence of unknown or misunderstood factors hampering the expected rise of a novel specialty putatively be termed "neurochemical optogenetics".

In Vivo Monitoring of Dopamine by Microdialysis with 1 min Temporal Resolution Using Online Capillary Liquid Chromatography with Electrochemical Detection

Microdialysis is often applied to understanding brain function. Because neurotransmission involves rapid events, increasing the temporal resolution of in vivo measurements is desirable. Here, we demonstrate microdialysis with online capillary liquid chromatography for the analysis of 1 min rat brain dialysate samples at 1 min intervals. Mobile phase optimization involved adjusting the pH, buffer composition, and surfactant concentration to eliminate interferences with the dopamine peak. By analyzing electrically evoked dopamine transients carefully synchronized with the switching of the online LC sample valve, we demonstrate that our system has both 1 min sampling capabilities and bona fide 1 min temporal resolution. Evoked DA transients were confined to single, 1 min brain dialysate samples. After uptake inhibition with nomifensine (20 mg/kg i.p.), responses to electrical stimuli of 1 s duration were detected.

Perinatal vs genetic programming of serotonin states associated with anxiety

Large numbers of women undergo antidepressant treatment during pregnancy; however, long-term consequences for their offspring remain largely unknown. Rodents exposed to serotonin transporter (SERT)-inhibiting antidepressants during development show changes in adult emotion-like behavior. These changes have been equated with behavioral alterations arising from genetic reductions in SERT. Both models are highly relevant to humans yet they vary in their time frames of SERT disruption. We find that anxiety-related behavior and, importantly, underlying serotonin neurotransmission diverge between the two models. In mice, constitutive loss of SERT causes life-long increases in anxiety-related behavior and hyperserotonemia. Conversely, early exposure to the antidepressant escitalopram (ESC; Lexapro) results in decreased anxiety-related behavior beginning in adolescence, which is associated with adult serotonin system hypofunction in the ventral hippocampus. Adult behavioral changes resulting from early fluoxetine (Prozac) exposure were different from those of ESC and, although somewhat similar to SERT deficiency, were not associated with changes in hippocampal serotonin transmission in late adulthood. These findings reveal dissimilarities in adult behavior and neurotransmission arising from developmental exposure to different widely prescribed antidepressants that are not recapitulated by genetic SERT insufficiency. Moreover, they support a pivotal role for serotonergic modulation of anxiety-related behavior.

Microdialysis in the rat striatum: effects of 24 h dexamethasone retrodialysis on evoked dopamine release and penetration injury

The power of microdialysis for in vivo neurochemical monitoring is a result of intense efforts to enhance microdialysis procedures, the probes themselves, and the analytical systems used for the analysis of dialysate samples. Our goal is to refine microdialysis further by focusing attention on what happens when the probes are implanted into brain tissue. It is broadly acknowledged that some tissue damage occurs, such that the tissue nearest the probes is disrupted from its normal state. We hypothesize that mitigating such disruption would refine microdialysis. Herein, we show that the addition of dexamethasone, an anti-inflammatory drug, to the perfusion fluid protects evoked dopamine responses as measured by fast-scan cyclic voltammetry next to the probes after 24 h. We also show that dexamethasone stabilizes evoked dopamine responses measured at the probe outlet over a 4-24 h postimplantation interval. The effects of dexamethasone are attributable to its anti-inflammatory actions, as dexamethasone had no significant effect on two histochemical markers for dopamine terminals, tyrosine hydroxylase and the dopamine transporter. Using histochemical assays, we confirmed that the actions of dexamethasone are tightly confined to the immediate, local vicinity of the probe.

In vivo monitoring of serotonin in the striatum of freely moving rats with one minute temporal resolution by online microdialysis-capillary high-performance liquid chromatography at elevated temperature and pressure

Online monitoring of serotonin in striatal dialysate from freely moving rats was carried out for more than 16 h at 1 min time resolution using microdialysis coupled online to a capillary HPLC system operating at about 500 bar and 50 °C. Several aspects of the system were optimized toward robust, in vivo online measurements. A two-loop, eight-port rotary injection valve demonstrated better consistency of continuous injections than the more commonly used two-loop, 10-port valve. A six-port loop injector for introducing stimulating solutions (stimulus injector) was placed in-line between the syringe pump and microdialysis probe. We minimized solute dispersion by using capillary tubing (75 μm inside diameter, 70 cm long) for the probe inlet and outlet. In vitro assessment of concentration dispersion during transport with a 30 s time resolution showed that the dispersion standard deviation for serotonin was well within the desired system temporal resolution. Each 30 or 60 s measurement reflects the integral of the true time response over the measurement time. We have accounted for this mathematically in determining the concentration dispersion during transport. The delay time between a concentration change at the probe and its detection is 7 min. The timing of injections from the stimulus injector and the cycle time for the HPLC monitoring of the flow stream were controlled. The electrochemical detector contained a 13 μm spacer to minimize detector dead volume. During in vivo experiments, retention time and separation efficiency were stable and reproducible. There was no statistically significant change over 5.5 h in the electrochemical detector sensitivity factor for serotonin. Dialysate serotonin concentrations change significantly in response to a 120 mM K(+) stimulus. Release of serotonin evoked by a 10 min, 120 mM K(+) stimulation, but not for other K(+) stimuli, exhibited a reproducible, oscillating profile of dialysate serotonin concentration versus time. Infusion of fluoxetine, a serotonin uptake inhibitor, increased dialysate serotonin concentrations and stimulated release magnitude. Transient serotonin increases were observed in response to the stress associated with unexpected handling. This system is simple, efficient, reliable, and suitable for the study of serotonin neurochemistry associated with emotion and behavior.

Pharmacological mitigation of tissue damage during brain microdialysis

Microdialysis sampling in the brain is employed frequently in the chemical analysis of neurological function and disease, but implanting the probes, which are substantially larger than the size and spacing of brain cells and blood vessels, is injurious and triggers ischemia, gliosis, and cell death at the sampling site. The nature of the interface between the brain and the microdialysis probe is critical to the use of microdialysis as a neurochemical analysis technique. The objective of the work reported here was to investigate the potential of two compounds, dexamethasone, a glucocorticoid anti-inflammatory agent, and XJB-5-131, a mitochondrially targeted reactive oxygen species scavenger, to mitigate the penetration injury. Measurements were performed in the rat brain striatum, which is densely innervated by axons that release dopamine, an electroactive neurotransmitter. We used voltammetry to measure electrically evoked dopamine release next to microdialysis probes during the retrodialysis of dexamethasone or XJB-5-131. After the in vivo measurements, the brain tissue containing the microdialysis probe tracks was examined by fluorescence microscopy using markers for ischemia, neuronal nuclei, macrophages, and dopamine axons and terminals. Dexamethasone and XJB-5-131 each diminished the loss of evoked dopamine activity, diminished ischemia, diminished the loss of neuronal nuclei, diminished the appearance of extravasated macrophages, and diminished the loss of dopamine axons and terminals next to the probes. Our findings confirm the ability of dexamethasone and XJB-5-131 to mitigate, but not eliminate, the effects of the penetration injury caused by implanting microdialysis probes into brain tissue.