Intelligent fiber-based sensors for continuous monitoring of levodopa concentration and real-time Parkinson management

Abstract

Current Parkinson's disease (PD) management often fails to account for the complex relationship between fluctuating drug levels and symptom variability. Here, fiber-based biochemical and biomechanical sensors have been engineered for continuous monitoring of levodopa levels and motor symptoms. These biochemical sensors exhibit remarkable selectivity and sensitivity towards levodopa, with a linear detection range spanning from 1 µM to 250 µM and a detection limit as low as 0.13 µM. This high-performance detection capability allows for real-time, non-invasive therapeutic drug monitoring, offering insights into disease progression and patient response. Furthermore, triboelectric nanogenerator sensors are integrated to track subtle motor symptoms, such as tremors, complementing the biochemical data. This dual approach provides a comprehensive assessment of PD, enabling personalized treatment strategies by continuously evaluating both drug levels and symptom fluctuations. The combination of these technologies represents a significant advancement in PD management, offering real-time insights that inform pharmacotherapy adjustments and clinical decisions.