Measuring the Brain in Real Time: Neurotransmitters, Voltammetry & AI with Anne Andrews of UCLA
In this insightful interview, we delve into the fascinating world of real-time neurotransmitter detection using voltammetry and machine learning. Anne Andrews, a Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), shares her expertise and passion for this cutting-edge field. Andrews discusses her journey into science, her love for measurement, and her eventual intersection with analytical chemistry and neuroscience.
Andrews highlights the crucial roles of serotonin and dopamine in both normal behavior and various neuropsychiatric conditions. She explains how her lab employs voltammetry and microdialysis to measure neurotransmitters in the brain, both in vivo and ex vivo. While microdialysis samples the brain's extracellular space, voltammetry uses smaller sensors for better spatial resolution and sub-second temporal resolution. However, voltammetry faces challenges in distinguishing overlapping electrochemical signals.
The key advantage of real-time measurement, according to Andrews, is the ability to decode information from chemical fluxes in the brain's extracellular space. She emphasizes the importance of machine learning in analyzing large data sets and identifying patterns in overlapping voltammograms. Andrews' lab has developed software for real-time waveform design and analysis, making it accessible to the research community.
Andrews also discusses the potential of voltammetry for analyzing other electrochemically active neurotransmitters and peptides. She envisions a future where these techniques are increasingly translated into real-world applications, bridging the gap between lab settings and complex neuropsychiatric problems. Andrews' passion for collaboration and education is evident, as she actively engages with the scientific community through conferences like Pittcon.
This interview offers a captivating glimpse into the intersection of analytical chemistry, neuroscience, and cutting-edge technology. Andrews' expertise and enthusiasm make this a must-read for anyone interested in the future of brain research and its potential impact on neuropsychiatric conditions.
