Development and validation of a specific and sensitive LC-MS/MS method for quantification of urinary catecholamines and application in biological variation studies.

Catecholamines are a class of biogenic amines that play an important role as neurotransmitters and hormones. We developed and validated a rapid, specific and sensitive LC-MS/MS method for quantitative determination of catecholamines in human urine. Linearity, specificity, sensitivity, precision, accuracy, matrix effect, carryover, analyte stability, method comparison and reference range were evaluated.

Validation of an ELISA for urinary dopamine: applications in monitoring treatment of dopamine-related disorders.

Dopamine is a catecholamine that serves as a neurotransmitter in the central and peripheral nervous system. Non-invasive, reliable, and high-throughput techniques for its quantification are needed to assess dysfunctions of the dopaminergic system and monitor therapies. We developed and validated a competitive ELISA for direct determination of dopamine in urine samples.

Evaluation of a novel ELISA for serotonin: urinary serotonin as a potential biomarker for depression.

Depression is a common disorder with physical and psychological manifestations often associated with low serotonin. Since noninvasive diagnostic tools for depression are sparse, we evaluated the clinical utility of a novel ELISA for the measurement of serotonin in urine from depressed subjects and from subjects under antidepressant therapy. We developed a competitive ELISA for direct measurement of serotonin in derivatized urine samples.

Novel ELISAs for screening of the biogenic amines GABA, glycine, beta-phenylethylamine, agmatine, and taurine using one derivatization procedure of whole urine samples.

The inhibitory neurotransmitters GABA, glycine and agmatine and neuromodulators beta-phenylethylamine (beta-PEA) and taurine are important biogenic amines of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems in the body. Abnormalities in the metabolism of these biomarkers have been implicated in a vast number of neurological diseases. Novel competitive immunoassays, using one unique whole urine derivatization procedure applicable for all five biomarkers, have been developed.

Studies on the immune response and preparation of antibodies against a large panel of conjugated neurotransmitters and biogenic amines: specific polyclonal antibody response and tolerance.

We described the production and characterization of antibodies against three important groups of neuro-active haptens, e.g., neurotransmitters and biogenic amines.