Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026
Detection of Neuritic Plaques in Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model
Published on: July 26, 2011
Detection of Aβ plaques by a novel specific MRI probe precursor CR-BSA-(Gd-DTPA)n in APP/PS1 transgenic mice
Shuping Li1, Huijin He, Weigang Cui
1Department of Radiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Abstract:
Amyloid plaques are one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The lack of specific probes that can detect individual senile plaques in AD has prompted the development of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) probes. In this study, based on DTPA-gadolinium (III) and congo red (CR), a novel specific MRI probe precursor CR-BSA-(Gd-DTPA)n was successfully synthesized. Its ability to bind to amyloid plaques was evaluated by brain sections from APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Its specificity for Aβ plaques was further demonstrated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining with the monoclonal antibody to the Aβ protein. Meanwhile, the amyloid deposits detected by the CR-BSA-(Gd-DTPA)n were matched to the amyloid deposits detected by Aβ specific antibody. We also found that a few amyloid-like deposits which was not detected by IHC. The findings indicated that the probe perhaps could detect the neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) similar to the effect of CR itself, and this will be verified in future experiments. The works suggested that the Aβ protein-specific magnetic resonance contrast agent precursor CR-BSA-(Gd-DTPA)n can be used as a potential fluorescence and MR multi-modal imaging probe precursor to display individual senile plaques in AD.
Insights
Researchers developed a novel MRI probe precursor, CR-BSA-(Gd-DTPA)n, to detect amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD). This probe shows promise for multi-modal imaging of senile plaques, aiding AD diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Imaging
- Neuroscience
- Materials Science
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid plaques.
- Current diagnostic methods for individual senile plaques in AD are limited.
- Development of specific probes for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize a novel MRI probe precursor for detecting individual senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease.
- To evaluate the specificity and binding ability of the synthesized probe to amyloid plaques.
- To explore the potential of the probe for multi-modal imaging.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of the CR-BSA-(Gd-DTPA)n probe precursor using DTPA-gadolinium (III) and congo red (CR).
- Evaluation of probe binding to amyloid plaques using brain sections from APP/PS1 transgenic mice.
- Specificity assessment via immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining with an Aβ specific antibody.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of the CR-BSA-(Gd-DTPA)n probe precursor.
- Demonstrated binding and specificity to Aβ plaques in transgenic mouse models.
- Identified potential for detecting amyloid-like deposits beyond Aβ plaques, possibly neurofibrillary tangles.
Conclusions:
- The synthesized CR-BSA-(Gd-DTPA)n is a specific MRI probe precursor for Aβ plaques.
- This precursor holds potential as a fluorescence and MR multi-modal imaging agent for individual senile plaques in AD.
- Further research is needed to confirm detection of neurofibrillary tangles.
