A fluorescence sensing compound for separately detecting and visualizing one or more monoamine neurotransmitters in cells, the fluorescence sensing compound having the following formula: ##STR00001## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkylene, aryl, cycloalkyl; wherein R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkylene, aryl, cycloalkyl, cyano, azido; and wherein R.sub.4 is selected from the group consisting of (CH.sub.3).sub.2Si, O, N, S, and CH.sub.2.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a semiconductor device. A non-limiting example of the semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device also includes a plurality of metal nanopillars formed on the substrate. The semiconductor device also includes an amperometric sensor associated with one of the plurality of nanopillars, wherein the amperometric sensor is selective to an enzyme-active neurotransmitter. The semiconductor device also includes a resistivity sensor associated with a pair of nanopillars, wherein the resistivity sensor is selective to an analyte.

The invention relates to an electro-chemical sensor and coating method, production method and corresponding uses. The coating method of an electro-chemical sensor comprises the following steps: coating a carbon-rich substrate, with a carbon content greater than or equal to 0 wt. % in relation to the total weight of the substrate, and with an organic polymer; and applying a cold plasma treatment to said coating. This method permits the production of electro-chemical sensors with a carbon-rich substrate, with a carbon content greater or equal to 50 wt. % in relation to the total weight of the substrate, and a modified organic polymer coating. These new sensors are suitable for the detection of, inter alia, dopamine, glucose, uric acid and ascorbic acid.

The invention relates to a method of treating a dopamine related disorder in a subject, the method comprises the steps of administering therapy to a subject, the therapy comprising a plurality of doses of levodopa over a selected time period, in combination with a dopamine decarboxylase inhibitor (DDI) and a catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor, wherein: (i) the dose of levodopa is lower; (ii) the dose of DDI is lower; (iii) the dosing of levodopa is less frequent; and/or (iv) the dosing of DDI is less frequent As compared with a reference regimen over the selected time period.

Disclosed is a method for simultaneous analysis of neurotransmitters and/or their metabolites. The method includes (a) separating analytes including a plurality of neurotransmitters and/or their metabolites from a sample selected from body tissues, body fluids, secretions, and excretions, (b) derivatizing the analytes with ethyl chloroformate to obtain derivatives of the plurality of neurotransmitters and/or their metabolites, (c) separating the derivatives of the plurality of neurotransmitters and/or their metabolites by liquid chromatography, and (d) subjecting the separated derivatives of the neurotransmitters or their metabolites to multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) using a mass spectrometer. According to the method, a plurality of neurotransmitters in a very small amount of sample can be simultaneously analyzed in an accurate and rapid manner based on derivatization to increase the stability and ionization efficiency of the substances.

This invention provides:an aptamer-based electrochemical sensor, wherein said aptamer is covalently bonded to or chemisorbed on an electrode, said aptamer forming a complex with a target molecule and is encapsulated by a gelatin B matrix;a method of manufacturing said aptamer-based electrochemical sensor;the use of the aptamer-based electrochemical sensor for the electrochemical determination of a concentration of a target molecule; anda composite electrode combining a polymeric material and electrically conducting particles for selective analyte detection, wherein said electrode is coated with gelatin type B.

The subject invention concerns metal or metalloid oxide-based sol-gel hybrid sorbent and methods of synthesis. In one embodiment, the sorbent is a ZrO.sub.2 polypropylene oxide based sol-gel. The subject invention also concerns a hollow tube or capillary internally coated with a sorbent of the invention. Sorbent coated tubes and capillaries of the invention can be used in extraction and/or enrichment of samples to be analyzed for catecholamines and related compounds.

Embodiments described herein relate generally to compositions that include a synthetic redox-active receptor, and in particular to compositions that include a boronic acid based synthetic redox-active receptor which can electrochemically sense a target analyte in a sample solution. A synthetic redox-active receptor can have a salt selected from the group consisting of: ##STR00001## wherein the variables L, L, R, R, n and X are described herein.

A fluorescence sensing compound for separately detecting and visualizing one or more monoamine neurotransmitters in cells, the fluorescence sensing compound having the following formula:

##STR00001## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkylene, aryl, cycloalkyl; wherein R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkylene, aryl, cycloalkyl, cyano, azido; and wherein R.sub.4 is selected from the group consisting of (CH.sub.3).sub.2Si, O, N, S, and CH.sub.2.

Disclosed is an antibody which binds to paliperidone, which can be used to detect paliperidone in a sample such as in a competitive immunoassay method. The antibody can be used in a lateral flow assay device for point-of-care detection of paliperidone, including multiplex detection of aripiprazole, quetiapine, olanzapine, and risperidone/paliperidone in a single lateral flow assay device.