International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research  |  e-ISSN: 2582-8940  |  Double-Blind Peer Review  |  Open Access  |  CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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     2026:7/4

International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research

e-ISSN: 2582-8940 | Open Access

Development of a Label-Free Electrochemical Biosensor for Early Detection of Neurodegenerative Disease Biomarkers

Ibukunoluwa Fikayo Olukotun, Akuchinyere Onyinyechukwu Titus-Okpanachi, Rachael Taiwo Tiamiyu, Ehinomhen Inegbedion

Department of Analytical Bioscience, Birkbeck University of London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Public and Community Health, Liberty University, Virginia, USA; Department: Department of Chemistry, Wayne State University, Michigan, USA; Department of Healthcare Management, Western Governors University, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Article Information

Volume / Issue6 / 2 (April-June 2025)
Pages61-66
AccessOpen Access

Publication Timeline

  • Received03 February 2025
  • Accepted05 March 2025

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Abstract

Early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Alzheimer’s (AD) and Parkinson’s (PD) is critically dependent on detecting specific protein biomarkers at very low concentrations. This study presents the design, fabrication, and characterization of a novel label-free electrochemical biosensor for ultrasensitive detection of key ND biomarkers (β-amyloid (Aβ), tau, and α-synuclein). A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified with a nanocomposite of carboxyl graphene (CG), thionin, and electrodeposited Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) to immobilize a specific aptamer against tau protein. Electrochemical techniques (cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)) were used to verify each modification step, and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was used to measure biomarker binding. The sensor yielded a linear response from 0.5 pM to 100 pM tau₃₈₁, with a detection limit (LOD) of ~0.5 pM and high sensitivity. These performance metrics are comparable to or exceed those of previously reported label-free biosensors. Cross-reactivity tests showed excellent selectivity against non-target proteins. The fabricated biosensor demonstrates rapid, reproducible detection of tau at clinically relevant levels, addressing key research questions: (1) Can a label-free electrochemical biosensor be engineered to detect neurodegenerative biomarkers at ultra-low concentrations? (2) What sensitivity and specificity can be achieved through nanomaterial-enhanced signal transduction? (3) How does this sensor performance compare with existing biosensing platforms? In answering these questions, this work contributes to the development of point-of-care ND diagnostics.

Keywords

Label-free electrochemical biosensorNeurodegenerative disease biomarkersTau protein detectionNanomaterial- enhanced sensingDifferential pulse voltammetry (DPV)Point-of-care diagnostics

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How to Cite

Olukotun, I. F., Titus-Okpanachi, A. O., Tiamiyu, R. T., & Inegbedion, E. (2025). Development of a Label-Free Electrochemical Biosensor for Early Detection of Neurodegenerative Disease Biomarkers. International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research, 6(2), 61-66. https://doi.org/10.54660/IJMBHR.2025.6.2.61-66

Olukotun, Ibukunoluwa Fikayo, et al. "Development of a Label-Free Electrochemical Biosensor for Early Detection of Neurodegenerative Disease Biomarkers." International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research, vol. 6, no. 2, 2025, pp. 61-66. https://doi.org/10.54660/IJMBHR.2025.6.2.61-66.

Olukotun, I. F., Titus-Okpanachi, A. O., Tiamiyu, R. T. and Inegbedion, E. (2025) 'Development of a Label-Free Electrochemical Biosensor for Early Detection of Neurodegenerative Disease Biomarkers', International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research, 6(2), pp. 61-66. doi: 10.54660/IJMBHR.2025.6.2.61-66.

Olukotun IF, Titus-Okpanachi AO, Tiamiyu RT, Inegbedion E. Development of a Label-Free Electrochemical Biosensor for Early Detection of Neurodegenerative Disease Biomarkers. International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research. 2025;6(2):61-66. doi:10.54660/IJMBHR.2025.6.2.61-66

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