Radiolabeled peptides for Alzheimer's diagnostic imaging: mini review

The pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the extracellular and intracellular accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) fibrillar plaques formed by the Aβ1-42 peptide, neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) consisting of hyperphosphorylated tau, extensive neuritic and synaptic degradation, and neuron loss. One of the priorities for the treatment of AD is both the early detection and accurate chart progression of the accumulation of Aβ plaques in human brains. Molecular imaging tools can provide an in vivo visualization of Aβ plaques. Specific identification of amyloid plaques would allow a more accurate prognosis and ensure more effective clinical trials of anti-amyloid agents at earlier disease stage. The emphasis of this review is on the development of Aβ peptide radiopharmaceuticals or the ones combined with nanocarrier-based such as Molecular Trojan horses or nanoparticles for applications in in vivo amyloid imaging in AD.