Voltammetry in the Neurosciences: Principles, Methods, and Applications. Contemporary Neuroscience

The objective of this book is to introduce in vivo voltammetry to the many neuroscientists studying the catecholamines and related compounds from the points of view of pharmacology, neurochemistry, and behavior. It is also intended to introduce to electrochemists the particular problems inherent in working on the central nervous system, as well the opportunities for further research. This volume is about an old technique applied to a new problem Voltammetry is a well-established and...
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The objective of this book is to introduce in vivo voltammetry to the many neuroscientists studying the catecholamines and related compounds from the points of view of pharmacology, neurochemistry, and behavior. It is also intended to introduce to electrochemists the particular problems inherent in working on the central nervous system, as well the opportunities for further research. This volume is about an old technique applied to a new problem Voltammetry is a well-established and highly developed analytical technique. In 1973, R. N. Adams demonstrated that the methodology could be adapted for use in the central nervous system. Since that initial report, the technique of in viva voltammetry has developed into a powerful method for studying the catecholammes and other easily oxidrzable compounds. The advantages of in vivo voltammetry in complementing other techniques are several: It is fast. Dynamical processes can be studied that were not amenable to direct observation before. It is specific to easily oxidizable compounds. In the complex medium of the brain, only a small subset of compounds contributes to the signals recorded. Also, the extracellular environment is monitored, rather than the total tissue, complementing tissue assay data. Because of the above characteristics, the technique is able to provide new mformatron on the dynamics of release, uptake, metabolism, and function of neurochemically important compounds, such as the catecholamine neurotransmitters and related compounds. This book is an introduction to the technique and examples of its application.