# Development and Validation of an NPY-sensitive Microelectrode for Measuring NPY Release from Hippocampus

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF TURABO (CAGUAS,PR) · 2022 · $178,342

## Abstract

This research proposal aims to develop and validate microelectrode that is sensitive to neuropeptide Y
(NPY) for measuring the release of NPY from hippocampus. In this way, we will be able to find correlations
between NPY levels with anxiety disorders. In order to do this, two electrochemical strategies have been
devised to monitor biomolecules in real-time. Non-electroactive molecules in the brain are difficult to measure
with high temporal and spatial resolution and neuropeptides have been a challenge. Electrochemical-based
techniques are powerful and can be used to measure the physical and chemical properties of the surface and
they have been vastly used for the detection of molecules with very low detection limits. The combination of
highly selective aptamers with fast scan cyclic voltammetry and continuous electrochemical impedance
measurements will provide two novel strategies to understand the presence of NPY in the CA1 region.
Different molecules that are potentially released together with NPY will be measured using the developed
microelectrodes to prove selectivity. Genetically modified mice will be under and overregulated using
tetracyclines to change NPY levels and confirm the measurement using the developed NPY-sensitive
microelectrodes. Platinum microelectrodes measuring up to 25 micrometers will provide the appropriate
substrate for the adsorption and desorption of molecules as well as the aptamer modification to filter NPY
signals from other confounding molecules. Concomitant electrochemical and electrophysiological
measurement in CA1 will be done to filter NPY from the different other signals measured. The confirmation of
the effects of NPY will be tested recording fEPSPs in response to low-frequency electrical stimulation in the SC
and TA pathway. In order to validate NPY levels, ELISA will be used to compare the measurements done with
our developed NPY-sensitive microelectrodes in hippocampal extracts.
 Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and fast scan cyclic voltammetry have shown to be important
techniques that allow the measurement of faradaic as well as non-faradaic currents providing a picture of the
electroactive species as well as non-electroactive species that interact with the electrode’s surfaces. The
combination of fast scan cyclic voltammetry with electrochemical impedance measurements will empower the
research community using microelectrodes for real-time measurement of biomolecules such as
neurotransmitters and neuropeptides.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10491988
- **Project number:** 5R21MH129037-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF TURABO (CAGUAS,PR)
- **Principal Investigator:** Lisandro Cunci
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $178,342
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-09-21 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10491988

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10491988, Development and Validation of an NPY-sensitive Microelectrode for Measuring NPY Release from Hippocampus (5R21MH129037-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10491988. Licensed CC0.

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