Enzymatic Electrochemical Biosensors for Neurotransmitters Detection: Recent Achievements and Trends

Abstract

Neurotransmitters (NTs) play a crucial role in regulating the behavioral and physiological functions of the nervous system. Imbalances in the concentrations of NT have been directly linked to various neurological diseases (e.g., Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and Alzheimer’s disease), in addition to multiple psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, dementia, and other neurodegenerative disorders. Hence, the rapid and real-time monitoring of the NTs is of utmost importance in comprehending neurological functions and identifying disorders. Among different sensing techniques, electrochemical biosensors have garnered significant interest due to their ability to deliver fast results, compatibility for miniaturization and portability, high sensitivity, and good controllability. Furthermore, the utilization of enzymes as recognition elements in biosensing design has garnered renewed attention due to their unique advantages of catalytic biorecognition coupled with simultaneous signal amplification. This review paper primarily focuses on covering the recent advances in enzymatic electrochemical biosensors for the detection of NTs, encompassing the importance of electrochemical sensors, electrode materials, and electroanalytical techniques. Moreover, we shed light on the applications of enzyme-based biosensors for NTs detection in complex matrices and in vivo monitoring. Despite the numerous advantages of enzymatic biosensors, there are still challenges that need to be addressed, which are thoroughly discussed in this paper. Finally, this review also presents an outlook on future perspectives and opportunities for the development of enzyme-based electrochemical biosensors for NTs detection.