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The amazing power of fast-scan cyclic voltammetry: How to capture changes in neurotransmitters within milliseconds?
Scientists have recently made impressive progress in a technique called fast scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV), which can capture changes in neurotransmitters within milliseconds. This electrochemical technique, with its amazing scan rate (up to 1×10^6 V·s−1) and precise time resolution, provides new possibilities for the detection of neurotransmitters, hormones and metabolites in biological systems. .
Rapid scan cyclic voltammetry has a wide range of applications, covering a variety of biological models from mice to humans, providing us with instant data on biochemical reactions.
Basic principles of FSCV
In fast-scan cyclic voltammetry, microscopic carbon fiber electrodes are inserted into living cells, tissues, or the extracellular space. The electrode rapidly raises and lowers the voltage, creating a triangular waveform of voltage changes. When the voltage is within the appropriate range (usually ±1 volt), the compound of interest is repeatedly oxidized and reduced. This causes electrons in the solution to move, ultimately producing a small alternating current (nanoampere level).
The chemical specificity, high resolution, and non-invasive nature of the probe make FSCV a powerful technique for monitoring chemical concentrations that vary in vivo.
This technology is unique in detecting the waveform of chemical substances. It can generate a plot of voltage versus current and calculate the concentration change of chemical substances in the solution based on time. The chemical specificity of FSCV is derived from the reduction potential. Each compound has its own unique reduction potential, so the alternating voltage can be set to select specific compounds for measurement. This enables FSCV to simultaneously measure multiple biological compounds with positive and negative reduction potentials.
FSCV advantages and challenges
The advantages of FSCV lie in its high resolution and non-invasive nature, which enables real-time monitoring of chemical changes in vivo. However, the application of this technology also faces some challenges, such as the limitation of voltage and current range, and the limitation of only differential measurement. Since the reference current is affected by factors such as pH, the reference value will drift after long-term measurement, and the age of the electrode also affects the accuracy of the data.
Although FSCV has limitations, the superiority of this technology is sufficient to lay a good foundation for research in related fields.
FSCV Applications in Neuroscience
FSCV has been successfully used in animal models to detect changes in the concentration of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, and can achieve a sensitivity of up to 1 nM. When observing changes in dopamine from animal behavior, a 10 Hz acquisition rate is fast enough to sample the dynamics of neurotransmitter release and clearance.
Through FSCV monitoring, researchers were able to understand the encoding role of dopamine dynamics in the decision-making process, which is crucial for understanding the neural mechanisms behind behavior.
In addition, FSCV is also used to study the release and dynamics of other monoamine neurotransmitters such as adrenaline, norepinephrine, and serotonin. These studies not only advance our understanding of the functions of neurotransmitters, but also provide new means for studying drug effects.
Future Development Direction
With the continuous advancement of technology, the application potential of FSCV in various fields such as neuroscience, psychology and pharmacology will be further expanded. Future research may focus on improving probe design to increase data resolution, expand the range of chemicals that can be detected, and achieve real-time detection capabilities in a more non-invasive setting.
Fast scan cyclic voltammetry has not only ushered in a new era of biomedical research, but is also likely to become an important tool for exploring biological signals and the mechanisms behind them.
As this technology continues to develop, we can't help but wonder whether it can solve more complex biological mysteries and promote revolutionary advances in modern medicine?
