TinyFSCV: FSCV for the Masses

The ability to monitor neurochemical dynamics in target brain regions with a high degree of temporal resolution has assisted researchers in investigating the pathogenesis, and pathophysiology of a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Current systems for neurochemical monitoring are bulky or expensive, limiting widespread exploration of this research field and preventing large-scale parallel experimentation. In this paper, we present a new miniaturized research platform, the TinyFSCV system, which can be used to monitor dynamic changes in neurochemicals through Fast-Scan Cyclic Voltammetry (FSCV). This system contains a precision voltage output circuit that can accurately output potentials between -0.55 to 2 V and scan a connected electrochemical cell at up to 400 V/s, the required speed to sense most neurochemicals with FSCV. In addition, the device includes precision current measurement circuitywith a measurement range of -115 to 115 μA capable of taking measurements at up to 56 KS/s. Four experiments are conducted to demonstrate the capability of the system. These consisted of: static bench tests, static ferrocene tests, and static and dynamic dopamine tests. These experiments demonstrate the ability of the miniaturized platform to accurately sense and measure neurochemicals. Ultimately, the TinyFSCV system is a platform that can enable large-scale, low-cost parallel experimentation to take place in the field of neurochemical monitoring. In addition, this device will increase the accessibilityof neurochemical sensing, providing advanced tools and techniques to more researchers, and facilitating widespread exploration of the field of neurodynamics.

I. Introduction

The brain is one of the most challenging environments in which to sense dynamic chemical changes, because of the complexity of the system and because safety concerns make many traditional analysis techniques unviable [1]. Nonetheless, monitoring neurotransmitter modulation in living brain tissue has allowed researchers to investigate brain function in new ways [1]–[3]. Currently, the only approaches which are viable for in-vivo neurochemical monitoring with sub-second precision in discrete brain regions are voltametric techniques [4].