Microfluidic-integrated biosensors for neurodegenerative disorders

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are the slow-progressing diseases that affect neurons, brain cells, and surrounding brain regions. There are several stages of damage and death of cells in these disorders that could affect cognitive or motor function in the person suffering. The early and decisive diagnosis of these is not only improbable with the current methods available, tracking the effect of any treatment on the patient is also very complicated. Few biosensor methods have been developed for some of the biomarkers for Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, but majority of biomarkers are yet to be explored. Microfluidics enables the biosensing platforms to create a controlled microenvironment where the flow of reagents, mixing of samples and their contamination probabilities can be controlled. This chapter discusses the type of NDDs, the biomarkers, and microfluidic biosensors developed for various neurodegenerative disorders.