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Neurochemistry Research Group

Division of Neurosurgery
 

 

Conventional brain-chemistry monitoring is performed off-line by collecting and manually transferring microdialysis samples to an enzymatic colorimetric bedside analyzer every hour, which detects and quantifies the molecules of interest. However, off-line, hourly monitoring means that any subhourly neurochemical changes, which may be detrimental to patients, go unseen and thus untreated. Mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectroscopy allows rapid, reagent-free, molecular fingerprinting of liquid samples, and can be easily integrated with microfluidics. We used mid-IR transmission spectroscopy to analyze glucose, lactate, and pyruvate, three relevant brain metabolites, in the extracellular brain fluid of two TBI patients, sampled via microdialysis. There was a strong correlation between the compound concentrations obtained using the conventional bedside analyzer and the acquired mid-IR absorbance spectra, where a partial-least-squares regression model was implemented to compute concentrations. This study demonstrates the potential utility of mid-IR spectroscopy for continuous, automated, reagent-free, and online monitoring of the dynamic chemical changes in TBI patients, allowing a more timely response to adverse brain metabolism and consequently improving patient outcomes.

Find out more, in our most recent paper on the COMMIT project here.

 

The COMMIT project talk for the Virtual Summer Festival of Learning

 

 

 

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New Papers

- Front. Radiol. Article by PhD Candidate Chisomo Zimphango Click Here

- JCBFM Article by PhD Candidate Claudia A. Smith Click Here

- Metabolites Article by PhD Candidate Chisomo Zimphango Click Here

Recent News & Updates

- INTS NeuroTrauma 2024 Conference

NIHR awards £42m to new centres to develop innovative technology solutions to improve healthcare
- New Papers in Recent Publications
- Updated Team members and Our Research
- New Media/Outreach video
- New Funding page