In 0.1 M KH2PO4 + Na2HPO4 buffer solution (pH 6.0), the beta-cyclodextrin incorporated carbon nanotube modified electrode (beta-CD/CNT/ME) exhibits a strong catalytic effect toward the electro-chemical oxidation of norepinephrine (NE). The peak current increases linearly with the concentration of NE in the range of 1.0 x 10(-6)-3.0 x 10(-4) M. The detection limit is 5.0 x 10(-7) M. Using cyclic voltammetry, we obtained two peaks for ascorbic acid (AA) and NE in the same solution. The separation between the two peaks is about 264 mV. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.