Assaying neurotransmitters in and around single neurons with information-rich detectors

Techniques to study the chemical environment in and around individual neurons are reviewed, with an emphasis on methods to assay single cells for neurotransmitters and neuromodulators that do not require analyte preselection. Current capabilities of capillary-based microseparations and mass spectrometry are highlighted for this application. Methods to combine multiple analytical techniques to provide chemical, spatial and temporal information are described.