Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Detection of Neurotransmitters

Current in vivo methods for analyzing neurochemicals include invasive procedures, such as drilling a hole through the skull. Common in vitro methods of neurotransmitter detection through analysis of biofluids require considerable time to gather and process data. Therefore, there is a need for the development of a detection method that is non-invasive, selective, rapid, and label free. Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) would be advantageous for the detection of local concentrations of neurotransmitters in non-invasively collected biofluids. This method of Raman spectroscopy provides enhanced signals through the adsorption of low concentration analytes to gold nanoparticles, which creates an oscillating electric field called the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). In the Sharma lab, we focus on the development of biosensors for early disease detection through the use of gold nanoparticles to achieve SERS detection of five major neurochemicals. In order to optimize enhancement, we vary the acidity of the nanoparticle solution. SERS allows for a highly selective detection method that provides rapid sample analysis. We present the development of our detection method along with results on the SERS detection of five major neurotransmitters in the micromolar to nanomolar range.