Nafion-coated electrodes with high selectivity for CNS electrochemistry

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• In vivo electrochemistry is crucial for monitoring brain activity.
• Small graphite electrodes offer potential for precise neural measurements.
• Improving electrode selectivity is essential for accurate neurotransmitter detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance the selectivity of small graphite electrodes for in vivo electrochemistry.
• To investigate the utility of Nafion polymer coatings for this purpose.

Main Methods:

• Coating small graphite electrodes with Nafion, a perfluorosulfonated polymer.
• Conducting in vivo electrochemical measurements.
• Comparing the responses of Nafion-coated and untreated electrodes.

Main Results:

• Nafion coating renders electrodes impermeable to ascorbic acid and anionic metabolites.
• The coating shows minimal response to neutral metabolites.
• Electrodes become highly selective for cationic primary neurotransmitters: dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin.

Conclusions:

• Nafion-coated graphite electrodes represent a significant advancement in in vivo electrochemistry.
• This improved selectivity allows for more accurate monitoring of key neurotransmitters in biological systems.