In-Vivo, Wireless Fast-Scan Cyclic Voltammetry System

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Pinnacle Technology and Professors George Wilson and Michael Johnson of the University of Kansas, have developed, and successfully tested, a prototype device that can collect, analyze and transmit fast-scan cyclic volt ammetry (FSCV) data wirelessly in freely moving rats. The prototype FSCV system is compatible with microelectrodes (lt10 5m diameter). The system can measure physiologically relevant levels of extracellular dopamine. During this Phase II effort, a complete turnkey, wireless system will be developed, tested, and validated for dopamine. The ability to detect other monoamine neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, and serotonin will also be tested. This work will include the development of electrodes with in tegrated connectors (5-50 5m diameter), integrated stimulus, incorporation of a microdrive, optimization of the limit of detection, expansion to multiple electrodes if possible, and completion of a commercially viable acquisition and analysis software pack age. The analysis package will include synchronization with external stimuli, video or other related events. The system will be validated internally and beta tested by independent laboratories. Development of the proposed product is a highly significant ad vancement over the current state-of-the art. It will empower researchers to measure spontaneous, sub-second neurotransmitter release events while conducting detailed behavioral studies in freely moving animals. Behavioral studies in untethered animals prov ide critical knowledge of the link between normal behavior and functional neurochemistry, and a wireless fast cyclic voltammetry system will be a major asset for researchers in behavior, memory, learning, addiction mechanisms and sleep. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEV ANCE: Two conditions heavily influenced by abnormal dopamine signaling are schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease. Schizophrenia affects an estimated 2.9 million Americans. Approximately 1.5 million Americans suffer from Parkinson's. Based on year 2000 esti mates, the yearly direct health costs due to Schizophrenia and Parkinson's is 70 billion dollars.