Highlights of selected recent electrochemical measurements in living systems

Since the early work carried out by Ralph Adams in the 1970s, electrochemistry has been established as a powerful analytical tool for neuroscience. In this review, we focus on some novel and innovative methods for the electrochemical analysis of biological samples reported during the last five years. Recent findings in the neurochemistry of Drosophila melanogaster, a new and simple animal model, are summarized. A wealth of technical improvements of the electrode materials or of the instrumentation has been used to achieve higher sensitivity or robustness, to detect new biologically relevant analytes or simply to offer new experimental possibilities. Electrochemical imaging of exocytosis, in vivo or in vitro at the single cell level, is also summarized here. Finally, new perspectives and emerging technologies are discussed. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd.