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Title: Modified Sawhorse Waveform for the Voltammetric Detection of Oxytocin

Carbon fiber microelectrodes (CFMEs) have been used to detect neurotransmitters and other biomolecules using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) for the past few decades. This technique measures neurotransmitters such as dopamine and, more recently, physiologically relevant neuropeptides. Oxytocin, a pleiotropic peptide hormone, is physiologically important for adaptation, development, reproduction, and social behavior. This neuropeptide functions as a stress-coping molecule, an anti-inflammatory agent, and serves as an antioxidant with protective effects especially during adversity or trauma. Here, we measure tyrosine using the Modified Sawhorse Waveform (MSW), enabling enhanced electrode sensitivity for the amino acid and oxytocin peptide. Applying the MSW, decreased surface fouling and enabled codetection with other monoamines. As oxytocin contains tyrosine, the MSW was also used to detect oxytocin. The sensitivity of oxytocin detection was found to be 3.99 ± 0.49 nAμM−1, (n = 5). Additionally, we demonstrate that applying the MSW on CFMEs allows for real time measurements of exogenously applied oxytocin on rat brain slices. These studies may serve as novel assays for oxytocin detection in a fast, sub-second timescale with possible implications forin vivomeasurements and further understanding of the physiological role of oxytocin.

 
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Award ID(s):
1936173
NSF-PAR ID:
10361845
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
The Electrochemical Society
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Journal of The Electrochemical Society
Volume:
169
Issue:
1
ISSN:
0013-4651
Page Range / eLocation ID:
Article No. 017512
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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