Surface-enhanced spatially-offset Raman spectroscopy (SESORS) for detection of neurochemicals through the skull at physiologically relevant concentrations

Abstract

Detection techniques for neurotransmitters that are rapid, label-free, and non-invasive are needed to move towards earlier diagnosis of neurological disease. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) allows for sensitive and selective detection of target analytes. The combination of SERS with spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) in a technique termed surface enhanced spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SESORS) permits a sensitive and selective detection of neurotransmitters through the skull. Here, we present the SESORS detection of individual neurotransmitters and mixtures of neurotransmitters at physiologically relevant concentrations, while also establishing limits of detection.