New nanomaterial may detect Alzheimer's disease earlier

A new nanomaterial that can pass through the blood-brain barrier and be visualized with MRI and near-infrared imaging could facilitate the early detection of Alzheimer's disease, according to researchers at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) in Hong Kong.

Near-infrared imaging of the brain of normal (upper row) and Alzheimer's-affected mice (bottom row) before and after injection of the new nanomaterial. The red color indicates the presence of plaques. Image courtesy of HKBU.

The group led by Ricky Wong Man-shing, PhD, and Li Hung-wing, PhD, developed a new nanomaterial that specifically targets beta-amyloid plaques, which are associated with Alzheimer's disease. The nanomaterial -- fabricated by combining superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and cyanine compounds -- fluoresces after binding to these plaques. It can then be easily detected by MRI and near-infrared imaging systems, according to the researchers.

"The fact that the new nanomaterial we have discovered is nonradioactive, nontoxic, and able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier shows its promise for use in near-infrared imaging (NIRI) and MRI scanning of the brain," Wong said in a statement from HKBU. "As a result, its application as a contrast agent for imaging is highly important and could lead to earlier detection -- and improved monitoring -- of Alzheimer's disease."

The researchers shared their work in an article published online July 12 in Small.