We report the synthesis and characterization of a new electroactive surface capable of releasing the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) upon reduction. The GABA was anchored to an alkanethiol via electrochemically active quinone (abbreviation, TM-GABA). The quinone unit, upon reduction to the hydroquinone, cyclizes to release GABA into solution. The half-life is 99 s. The self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of TM-GABA on gold was prepared and characterized with several surface sensitive techniques. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) explored the SAM formation of TM-GABA oil Au surfaces. Cyclic voltammograms showed the ability to electrochemically control the quinone unit at the distal end of the chain. GABA wits selectively release upon electrochemical reduction at a potential of -700 mV. The functional GABA terminal group wits detected by surface plasmon resonance measurements of anti-GABA antibody binding. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.