Research Article
Waqas Saleem and Patricia A
Abstract
Here, we present results from two independent studies carried out using Neuromolecular Imaging (NMI) with miniature BRODERICK PROBE ® biosensors. In the first study, we imaged neurotransmitters and neurochemicals in human epilepsy patients intraoperatively during early and late neurodegeneration. In the second study, we imaged neurotransmitters and neurochemicals in an experimental murine model using animals with and without neurodegeneration caused by Parkinson’s disease (PD). We compared our results derived from animals with lesioned group (PD) with non-lesioned group (non-PD), using the same in vivo NMI paradigm. NMI biotechnology enabled neurotransmitters, neuropeptides and neurochemical imaging of dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), homovanillic acid (HVA), L-tryptophan (L-TP), dynorphin A (DYN A) and somatostatin (SRIF). Each neurotransmitter and neurochemical was imaged at its respective signature i.e., its electroactive oxidation/half-wave potential. Results showed neuropeptide signatures of DYN A and SRIF as common biomarker molecules following late neurodegeneration in epilepsy patients and in PD animal models. Placing these two studies together allowed us to us to provide a new hypothesis about a possible biomarker link between the two neurodegenerative diseases, epilepsy and PD. Interestingly, this biomarker link, to our knowledge has not been observed previously. These findings will provide new strategies for better diagnoses, detection of and protection against epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease