Researchers at the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute have successfully demonstrated the instantaneous tracking and measurement of dopamine released in the human brain. Evidence has been provided for the achievement of tracking a neurotransmitter in its path while it moves between brain cells while decision making behavior is being exhibited.
The Director – Human Neuroimaging Laboratory at the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Read Montague explained that the researchers were able to monitor the changes in dopamine tracks during an experiment in which their subject reacted to stock market changes and made investment decisions accordingly.
The lead author of the report, published on August 4 issue of PLos ONE titled Sub-Second Dopamine Detection in Human Striatum, Kenneth Kishida stated that the interesting discovery during the study was that the dopamine signal in the brain appeared as a positive indicator of the stock market value and in several instances, a reliable predictor of changes in the market.
The research team included Stefan G Sandberg and Paul E M Phillips from Seattle’s University of Washington, Terry Lohrenz from the Baylor College of Medicine, Dr Youssef G Comair from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, Ignacio Saez from Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute along with Read Montague and Kenneth Kishida.
For the study, the team of researchers modified sensors to work with the technology used in functional mapping, a surgical procedure carried out when deep brain stimulation devices are implanted in the brain. By modifying sensor technology to enhance signal conductivity, the researchers created a microsensor capable of sharing the electrochemical properties of electrodes while simultaneously detecting release of dopamine. Kishida, who is also a postdoctoral associate at the Human Neuroimaging Laboratory added that the resultant microsensors can be sterilized and are biocompatible.
Source: http://www.vt.edu/