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Updated: Aug 29, 2026
Construction of Cell-based Neurotransmitter Fluorescent Engineered Reporters (CNiFERs) for Optical Detection of Neurotransmitters In Vivo
Published on: May 12, 2016
Autofluorescence spectrofluorometry of central nervous system (CNS) neuromediators
Francesco Crespi1, Anna C Croce, Sabrina Fiorani
1Department of Biology, Psychiatry C.E.D.D., GlaxoSmithKline S.p.A., Verona, Italy.
Background And Objectives:
Changes in the neurotransmitter 5-hydroxytriptamine (5-HT) are related to psychiatric diseases such as depression and anxiety. In this study, 5-HT autofluorescence properties were investigated in solution and in biological tissues.
Study Design/Materials And Methods:
Spectrofluorometric characterization was performed on ex vivo samples (tissue sections, homogenates) of the 5-HT-rich brain region hippocampus from rats untreated or treated to affect endogenous 5-HT levels; in vivo, with a 50 solidus in circle optic fiber probe positioned via stereotaxis.
Results:
5-HT exhibited minor excitation and emission bands at wavelengths longer than the well known excitation and emission bands in the UV region, 250-320 nm. Spectrofluorometric measurements under 366 nm excitation on homogenates supplied with 5-HT or belonging to treated rats revealed spectral alterations attributable to changes in the amount of 5-HT. Ex vivo and in vivo autofluorescence data were consistent with those obtained by conventional voltammetry.
Conclusions:
Autofluorescence spectroscopy potential is confirmed as a suitable technique for the direct measurement of neurotransmitters.
