UIUC Researchers Pioneer New Method for Brain Imaging in Alzheimer’s Disease

UIUC Researchers Pioneer New Method for Brain Imaging in Alzheimer's Disease

by John Conrad| Aug 1, 2024| NewsBrief

A team of researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) has made a significant breakthrough in brain imaging technology that could revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The study, published on July 31, 2024, in ACS Central Science, demonstrates a novel approach to delivering fluorescent sensors across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), allowing for improved detection of neurotransmitter levels in the brain.

Led by Professor Yi Lu, the research team developed a method to package DNA aptamer sensors into brain cell-derived exosomes. These microscopic vesicles can efficiently cross the BBB, overcoming a major hurdle in brain imaging. The sensors are designed to detect adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a neurotransmitter whose levels can indicate the presence of Alzheimer's disease.

The study's findings are particularly promising for several reasons:

1. Improved delivery: The exosome-packaged sensors were nearly four times more efficient at crossing the BBB compared to conventional delivery systems.
2. Targeted accumulation: Unlike free-floating sensors that primarily remained in the blood and organs, the exosome-delivered sensors successfully accumulated in the brain.
3. High-resolution imaging: The method allowed researchers to identify the location and concentration of ATP in different brain regions of live mice with high spatial resolution.
4. Disease detection: In mouse models of Alzheimer's disease, the sensors revealed decreased ATP levels in key brain areas associated with the condition, including the hippocampus, cortex, and subiculum.

This breakthrough has significant implications for Alzheimer's research and potential clinical applications. The ability to non-invasively image neurotransmitter levels in live brains could lead to earlier diagnosis, more effective treatment monitoring, and a better understanding of the disease's progression.

Professor Lu and his team envision that this technology could be adapted to create sensors for a wide range of clinically relevant neurotransmitters, opening up new avenues for brain research and neurological disease diagnosis.

The research was supported by funding from the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the Welch Foundation, and the National Science Foundation.

As this technology continues to develop, it may offer new hope for millions of people affected by Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders, potentially transforming how we approach brain health and neurodegenerative disease management.