# Development of advanced voltammetric method for basal neurotransmitter level measurement

> **NIH NIH R01** · MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER · 2021 · $334,425

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
We propose to develop and optimize an advanced neurochemical recording technique that would be able to
measure relatively rapid physiologically representative second-to-second changes in basal concentrations of
specific neurochemicals, such as dopamine, in the brains of awake behaving animals. Microdialysis, a
commonly used in vivo sampling technique, is able to measure changes that occur in basal levels. However, in
practice the sampling timescale is significantly limited to minute-to-minute changes and it suffers from poor
spatial resolution and induces significant tissue damage. As well, conventional in vivo electrochemical
recording techniques, such as fast-scan cyclic voltammetry, are intrinsically limited to measuring phasic
(stimulation-induced) changes in neurochemical concentrations and not changes in basal concentrations. The
proposed electrochemical technique we call Multiple Cyclic Square Wave Voltammetry (M-CSWV) will enable
second-to-second measurements of basal extracellular levels of neurochemicals with exceptional spatial
resolution, sensitivity, specificity, and minimal tissue disturbance. This proposal leverages our unique expertise
in neuroscience, electrochemistry, software development, and engineering to develop and validate this novel
neurochemical recording technology for broad use in basic neuroscience research, clinical brain
neuromodulation, and a variety of electrochemical applications. Our initial animal studies will guide and inform
the application of our investigational technique for use by the general neuroscience and medical community.
Our proposal seeks to (1) establish M-CSWV as a reliable research tool that is capable of identifying and
quantifying basal dopamine extracellular levels in vivo with unsurpassed sensitivity and selectivity; and (2)
validate the use of M-CSWV for in vivo chronic selective measurement of basal dopamine concentrations and
application in an animal model of drug-induced neurochemical sensitization.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10246862
- **Project number:** 5R01NS112176-03
- **Recipient organization:** MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Kendall H. Lee
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $334,425
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-01 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10246862

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10246862, Development of advanced voltammetric method for basal neurotransmitter level measurement (5R01NS112176-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10246862. Licensed CC0.

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