Rapid electrochemical detection of levodopa using polyaniline-modified screen-printed electrodes for the improved management of Parkinson's disease

A portable test to rapidly determine levels of levodopa, the drug used treat Parkinson's disease, can improve clinical management disease. In this study, screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) were modified with polymers facilitate electrochemical detection levodopa. Cyclic voltammetry was deposit a thin layer polyaniline on electrode surface. Scanning electron microscopy revealed high surface coverage, which did not impact electrode's conductivity. Differential pulse measurements polyaniline-modified enabled measurement levodopa at physiologically relevant concentrations discrimination between common interferent (ascorbic acid) and structurally similar compound ( l -tyrosine). However, use polymer permit differentiation dopamine; only difference in these molecules is that has an amino acid moiety whereas dopamine free amine group. Density functional theory calculations demonstrated aniline formed hydrogen bond group monomer meta- hydroxyl group, present both dopamine, binding energies (?53.36 vs ?50.08 kJ mol ?1 ). Thus, polymer-functionalised SPEs are valuable tool measure compounds important but further refinement needed achieve selective detection.