Ivory D. Hills

Smart optical probes for near-infrared fluorescence imaging of Alzheimer's disease pathology.

PurposeNear-infrared fluorescent probes for amyloid-beta (Aβ) are an exciting option for molecular imaging in Alzheimer’s disease research and may translate to clinical diagnostics. However, Aβ-targeted optical probes often suffer from poor specificity and slow clearance from the brain. We are designing smart optical probes that emit characteristic fluorescence signal only when bound to Aβ.MethodsWe synthesized a family of dyes and tested Aβ-binding sensitivity with fluorescence spectroscopy and tissue-staining.ResultsSelect compounds exhibited Aβ-dependent changes in fluorescence quantum yield, lifetime, and emission spectra that may be imaged microscopically or in vivo using new lifetime and spectral fluorescence imaging techniques.ConclusionSmart optical probes that turn on when bound to Aβ will improve amyloid detection and may enable quantitative molecular imaging in vivo.

Erratum to Smart optical probes for near-infrared fluorescence imaging of Alzheimer’s disease pathology

Some of the references were misnumbered in the text, as follows: Results, Aβ-dependent spectra, “The recent development of liquid crystal ... [24]” should be [25]. Conclusions, “For in vivo efficacy, brain molecular ... [26]” should be [27]. Conclusions, “Our group has developed a theoretical ... [14]” should be [15]. Conclusions, “We and others have demonstrated ... [13, 24]” should be [14, 24]. Conclusions, “Likewise, spectral imaging has seen ... [15, 25]” should be [25]. The authors apologize for this mistake and any confusion it may have caused. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging (2008) 35:1032 DOI 10.1007/s00259-008-0749-6