Simultaneous detection of Alzheimer's biomarkers using a visual electrochemiluminescence bipolar array

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a progressive neurological disorder, presents challenges in early detection due to the limitations and costs of neuropsychological tests and neuroimaging. This study introduces a visual electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensing device employing red and green signal lights on dual-channel closed bipolar electrodes (BPEs) for simultaneous Aβ oligomers and Tau proteins detection. To mitigate cross-chemical reactions, we physically separated target detection and ECL production within different chambers connected by BPEs. Utilizing efficient gold clusters (Au NCs) and Ru(bpy)32+ as green and red emitters, respectively, along with methylene blue (MB) as the recognition probe on the cathode sensing platform, we achieved a detection limit of 2.6 pM for Aβ oligomers and 0.3 pM for Tau proteins by measuring visual ECL intensity at two anodic poles of BPEs. This approach minimizes cross-chemical reactions, ensures robust ECL signal sensors, and allows integration of multiple sensors on a single chip. The proposed portable bipolar electrode chips employing ECL technology show promise for early and precise Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and personal healthcare.