Evaluation of the neuropeptides level using a surface enhanced mobile spectroscopy system

Oxytocin is one of the most prominent neuropeptides in mammalian, and in particular, human organisms. It is also prominently featured in neuropsychological and social-neurology research, due to its high involvement in a wide range of behavioral and physiological processes. One of the difficulties in measurement is the short lifetime of free molecules of Oxytocin. In our paper, we studied the possibility to measure and evaluate operatively the level and type of free neuropeptide molecules by non-invasive method. For this goal, we prepared the plasmonic-enhanced sensors used as the substrates for measurements. Such sensors consist of a single crystalline silicon bar coated by a nano-structured gold thin film and covered by a very thin dielectric passivating coating. The studied substance containing the neuropeptides will be delivered on the sensing surface and then, it will be exposed with the laser´s light. A polarized optical signal reflected from the studied substance and expanded in the spectrum form will bring us the significant information about this substance.