IIT-Roorkee researchers have created a sensor that was capable of early detection of neurological conditions like Parkinson′s and schizophrenia. While the diseases cannot be cured, if detected early, their progression can be managed.

The researchers said that the amount of dopamine in a person′s brain decreases when they experience a neurological disorder. The sensor incorporates sulphur and boron-mixed graphene quantum dots. It alters light intensity when even trace amounts of dopamine are present and can be used to measure the chemical′s concentration in the brain to identify illnesses.

The IIT-Roorkee director, Professor Ajit K. Chaturvedi, complimented the entire team. The research′s principal investigator, Professor Soumitra Satapathi of the department of physics at IIT-Roorkee, then described how the sensor gadget functions and said “First, fluid from the spine of the patient will be extracted and drops of it will be placed on a paper coated with the chemicals. The paper will then be inserted into a small device, which will detect the amount of dopamine and show if it’s high or low through an LED-display.” 

The device has only been tested in laboratories till now and is not yet protected by a patent. According to officials, Christian Medical College in Vellore and AIIMS-Rishikesh will soon begin the clinical studies on patients. The invention was disclosed in the peer-reviewed magazine Nature′s Scientific Reports. (ETHealthWorld, June 22, 2022)