Survey study, 2024
Can a new sensor quickly measure chemicals linked to PMDD?
A new sensor was developed that can measure serotonin and estrogen levels in blood and urine. It showed good accuracy in lab tests, but has not been tested in women with PMDD.
What they did
Laboratory study developing a sensor made from reduced graphene oxide and copper complex. Tested its ability to measure serotonin and estrogen in human blood and urine samples.
What they found
The sensor measured serotonin with sensitivity of 0.064 μA/μmol L−1 and estrogen with 0.055 μA/μmol L−1. It detected serotonin at 42 nmol L−1 and estrogen at 53 nmol L−1. Results were accurate in blood and urine.
What it means for you
This is an early-stage lab tool that might help diagnose PMDD by measuring hormone and chemical levels. It has not been tested on real people yet, so we don't know if it would work for diagnosis. This is purely experimental research.
0.064
serotonin sensitivity (μA/μmol per liter)
53
estrogen detection limit (nmol per liter)
2-42
linear detection range (μmol per liter)
About the study
- Original title
- Simultaneous Detection of Serotonin and 17β-Estradiol Using rGO/SPCE Modified with Cu(II) Complex: A Novel Approach for PMDD Diagnosis
- Authors
- Claudia Núñez, Ronald Nelson, Gerald Tabilo et al.
- Journal
- Chemosensors
- Year
- 2024
- Study design
- Survey study
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors12080164
Original abstract
Approximately 4% of women of reproductive age are estimated to suffer from premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a condition likely underdiagnosed due to various biases, suggesting that actual prevalence may be higher. Addressing this, a novel electrochemical sensor was developed using a screen-printed electrode of reduced graphene oxide modified with a Cu(II) triazole complex, Cu(LNO2)2/rGO/SPCE. This sensor aims to determine levels of serotonin and 17β-estradiol rapidly, and simultaneously, key analytes implicated in PMDD. The method demonstrated high sensitivity for both analytes, achieving sensitivity levels of 0.064 μA/μmol L−1 for serotonin and 0.055 μA/μmol L−1 for 17β-estradiol, with a linear detection range of 2 to 42 μmol L−1. Detection limits were 42 nmol L−1 for serotonin and 53 nmol L−1 for estrogen. The sensor also exhibited high stability and selectivity against common interferents found in biological fluids. It was successfully used to measure serotonin and 17β-estradiol in human serum and urine, with recovery percentages within the expected ranges. This demonstrates that the sensor proposed in this work holds significant potential to contribute not only to the accurate diagnosis of such disorders but also to their treatment. We hope that this research will pave the way for the development of devices that have a positive impact on the quality of life of women suffering from multisystem diseases caused by hormonal malfunctions.
Reproduced under CC-BY.