Exocytosis is one of the essential steps for chemical signal transmission between neurons. In this process, vesicles dock and fuse with the plasma membrane and release the stored neurotransmitters through fusion pores into the extracellular space, and all of these steps are governed with various molecules, such as proteins, ions, and even lipids. Quantitatively monitoring vesicular neurotransmitter release in exocytosis and initial neurotransmitter storage in individual vesicles is significant for the study of chemical signal transmission of the central nervous system (CNS) and neurological diseases. Electrochemistry with micro/nanoelectrodes exhibits great spatial–temporal resolution and high sensitivity. It can be used to examine the exocytotic kinetics from the aspect of neurotransmitters and quantify the neurotransmitter storage in individual vesicles. In this review, we first introduce the recent advances of single-cell amperometry (SCA) and the nanoscale interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (nanoITIES), which can monitor the quantity and release the kinetics of electrochemically and non-electrochemically active neurotransmitters, respectively. Then, the development and application of the vesicle impact electrochemical cytometry (VIEC) and intracellular vesicle impact electrochemical cytometry (IVIEC) and their combination with other advanced techniques can further explain the mechanism of neurotransmitter storage in vesicles before exocytosis. It has been proved that these electrochemical techniques have great potential in the field of neuroscience.

Chemotherapy with cisplatin induces side effects such as memory loss, confusion of thinking, and difficulties with multi‐tasking. However, the mechanism of cisplatin inducing nervous dysfunction is still unknown. Herein, we examine whether and how cisplatin regulates the release of neurotransmitter during exocytosis in single chromaffin cells using single cell amperometry. The results show that cisplatin reduces the amount of transmitter released during exocytosis by reducing the duration of the exocytotic events, including the opening and closing time of the fusion pore. Furthermore, the stability of the initial fusion pore formed during exocytosis is also reduced by cisplatin. Our study holds the promise for understanding the side effects of cisplatin on the nervous system at single cell level.