Visualizing Alzheimer’s Disease Mouse Brain with Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography using a Fluorescent probe, CDnir7

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is now clinically considered as a chronic inflammation-based neurodegenerative disease. The CDnir7 probe was previously developed as an optical imaging probe to target macrophages in order to image mouse inflammation using in vivo optical imaging modalities such as In Vivo imaging system (IVIS) and fluorescent molecular tomography (FMT). Here, we demonstrate the application of CDnir7 in AD mouse brain imaging via multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT). Longitudinal MSOT imaging of CDnir7 showed higher CDnir7 localization in AD mouse cerebral cortex compared to that of normal mice. MSOT signals of CDnir7 localization in mouse brain were verified by ex vivo near-infrared (NIR) imaging and immunohistochemistry. Histological evaluation showed strong CDnir7 staining in AD cerebral cortex, hippocampus, basal ganglia and thalamus area. Based on the supporting evidence, CDnir7 has great potential as a molecular imaging probe for AD brain imaging.

Croconaine-based nanoparticles enable efficient optoacoustic imaging of murine brain tumors

“…The multispectral optoacoustic technique MSOT allows simultaneous imaging of multiple endogenous chromophores in the brain for assessment of brain structure and function [ 7 , 51 , 64 ]. Here we extended the brain imaging abilities of MSOT by using an exogenous contrast agent that can target brain tumors and generate a strong optoacoustic signal even deep below the brain surface.…”

Optoacoustic Imaging in Inflammation

“…An example of utilizing contrast agents for imaging inflammation in the brain is the development of a CDnir7 probe for macrophage uptake [ 135 ]. Park et al used this approach to visualize inflammation related to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) changes by visualizing more CDnir7 in the AD mouse cerebral cortex compared to that of normal mice [ 92 ]. Another study demonstrated the potential of utilizing dual-wavelength OAI (at 750 nm and 850 nm) to monitor cerebrovascular damage and hypo-oxygenation following brain injury, which is increasingly linked to neurodegenerative disease [ 93 ].…”

Spectral imaging and spectral LIDAR systems: moving toward compact nanophotonics-based sensing

“…The stability of the nanostar contrast agent is also found through the MSOT spectra in the NIR wavelength regime. Besides brain tumor, MSOT has also been recently applied for visualization of Alzheimer's disease in mouse's brain [38] and pathophysiological procession [47]. Furthermore, a hyperspectral endoscopy system has been developed [48], which enables image distortion compensation for flexible endoscopy in clinical use.…”