PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Improving Alzheimer’s disease imaging — with fluorescent sensors

Improving Alzheimer’s disease imaging — with fluorescent sensors
2024-07-31
(Press-News.org) Neurotransmitter levels in the brain can indicate brain health and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. However, the protective blood-brain barrier (BBB) makes delivering fluorescent sensors that can detect these small molecules to the brain difficult. Now, researchers in ACS Central Science demonstrate a way of packaging these sensors for easy passage across the BBB in mice, allowing for improved brain imaging. With further development, the technology could help advance Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis and treatment.

It is common for neurotransmitter levels to decrease with age, but low levels of the neurotransmitter adenosine triphosphate (ATP) can be an indication of Alzheimer’s disease. To measure the location and amount of ATP in the brain, researchers have developed fluorescent sensors from pieces of DNA called aptamers that light up when they bind to a target molecule. Methods for delivering these sensors from the bloodstream to the brain have been developed, but most contain synthetic components that can’t easily cross the BBB. To develop sensors for live brain imaging, Yi Lu and colleagues encapsulated an ATP aptamer sensor in brain-cell derived microscopic vesicles called exosomes. They tested the new sensor delivery system in lab models of the BBB and in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease.   

The BBB laboratory model consisted of a layer of endothelial cells on top of a solution containing brain cells. The researchers’ sensor-loaded exosomes were nearly four times more efficient than conventional sensor delivery systems at passing through the endothelial barrier and releasing the fluorescent sensor into the brain cells. This was confirmed by measuring the observed level of ATP-binding-induced fluorescence. Next, Lu’s team injected mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease with either the sensor-loaded exosomes or free-floating unloaded sensors. By measuring fluorescence signals in the mice, the researchers found that the free-floating sensors stayed mainly in the blood, liver, kidneys and lungs, while sensors delivered via exosomes accumulated in the brain. 

In mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease, the exosome-delivered sensors identified the location and concentration of ATP in different regions of the brain. Specifically, they observed low levels of ATP in the hippocampus, cortex and subiculum regions of the brain, which are indicative of the disease. The researchers say that their exosome-loaded ATP-reactive sensors show promise for non-invasive live brain imaging and could be developed further to create sensors for a range of clinically relevant neurotransmitters.

The authors acknowledge funding from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), Welch Foundation, NIH Chemistry-Biology Interface Training Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship.

The paper’s abstract will be available on July 31 at 8 a.m. Eastern time here: http://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acscentsci.4c00563

For more of the latest research news, register for our upcoming meeting, ACS Fall 2024. Journalists and public information officers are encouraged to apply for complimentary press registration by completing this form.

###

The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. ACS’ mission is to advance the broader chemistry enterprise and its practitioners for the benefit of Earth and all its people. The Society is a global leader in promoting excellence in science education and providing access to chemistry-related information and research through its multiple research solutions, peer-reviewed journals, scientific conferences, eBooks and weekly news periodical Chemical & Engineering News. ACS journals are among the most cited, most trusted and most read within the scientific literature; however, ACS itself does not conduct chemical research. As a leader in scientific information solutions, its CAS division partners with global innovators to accelerate breakthroughs by curating, connecting and analyzing the world’s scientific knowledge. ACS’ main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.

To automatically receive news releases from the American Chemical Society, contact newsroom@acs.org.

Note: ACS does not conduct research, but publishes and publicizes peer-reviewed scientific studies.

Follow us: X, formerly Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

END


[Attachments] See images for this press release:
Improving Alzheimer’s disease imaging — with fluorescent sensors Improving Alzheimer’s disease imaging — with fluorescent sensors 2

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Most blood thinner dosing problems happen after initial prescription

2024-07-31
Millions of Americans take anticoagulants, commonly known as blood thinners. These medications work to prevent blood clots that cause heart attack and stroke.  More than two-thirds of those people take a type of blood thinner called a direct oral anticoagulant. DOACs, such as rivaroxaban (brand name Xarelto) and apixaban (brand name Eliquis), are under- or over-prescribed in up to one in eight patents. These prescribing issues can have life threatening consequences, and they most often occur after a provider writes the initial prescription, according to a study led by Michigan Medicine.  “Direct oral anticoagulants may be viewed ...

AI boosts the power of EEGs, enabling neurologists to quickly, precisely pinpoint signs of dementia

AI boosts the power of EEGs, enabling neurologists to quickly, precisely pinpoint signs of dementia
2024-07-31
ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic scientists are using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to analyze electroencephalogram (EEG) tests more quickly and precisely, enabling neurologists to find early signs of dementia among data that typically go unexamined. The century-old EEG, during which a dozen or more electrodes are stuck to the scalp to monitor brain activity, is often used to detect epilepsy. Its results are interpreted by neurologists and other experts trained to spot patterns among the test's squiggly waves. In new research published in Brain Communications, scientists at the Mayo Clinic Neurology AI Program (NAIP) demonstrate ...

AI predicts male infertility risk with blood test, no semen needed

AI predicts male infertility risk with blood test, no semen needed
2024-07-31
According to a World Health Organization (WHO) study (2017), about half of all infertility is due to men. Semen analysis is considered essential for diagnosis of male infertility, but is not readily available at medical institutions other than those specializing in infertility treatment, and there is a high threshold for receiving it.   In this study, a group led by Associate Professor Hideyuki Kobayashi of the Department of Urology, Toho University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan developed an AI model that can predict the risk ...

Researchers pioneer new approach to enhance all-solid-state lithium batteries

Researchers pioneer new approach to enhance all-solid-state lithium batteries
2024-07-31
Researchers at the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, along with collaborators from leading international institutions, have introduced an innovative cathode homogenization strategy for all-solid-state lithium batteries (ASLBs). This new approach, detailed in their recent publication in Nature Energy on July 31, significantly improves the cycle life and energy density of ASLBs, representing an important advancement in energy storage technology. Current ASLBs face challenges due to heterogeneous composite cathodes, which require ...

Surprising finding in glioblastomas:

2024-07-31
Glioblastomas are highly aggressive, usually incurable brain tumors. If all therapeutic options are exhausted, patients have an average life expectancy of less than two years. Now researchers from the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) at the West German Tumor Center Essen have made a surprising discovery: in the vicinity of glioblastomas, they found islands of highly potent immune cells in the neighboring bone marrow of the skull, which play a central role in defending against cancer. The new data may open up prospects ...

Blood proteins may help to track the pathological progression of Lewy’s body disease

2024-07-31
Early detection of Alzheimer’s disease-related changes in Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies could be made possible by monitoring the amyloid-β (Aβ) and phosphorylated tau (p-tau) proteins. Researchers at Nagoya University in Japan also discovered the blood levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL) protein is elevated at an early stage of Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). This discovery may provide a method to identify potential patients and to make early interventions. The findings were published in npj Parkinson’s Disease.    The two forms of Lewy body disease are PD and DLB. ...

Pandemic exacerbated depression in older adults with diabetes

2024-07-31
TORONTO, ON – A recent study of more than 2,700 older Canadians reported older adults with diabetes faced a heightened risk of depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this cohort, almost 50% of those who had a pre-pandemic history of depression experienced depression during the pandemic. Those who experienced loneliness were among the most impacted. “During the pandemic, loneliness almost tripled the risk of depression in older adults with diabetes,” says clinical pharmacist and first author ZhiDi Deng. “This not only highlights ...

AI opens door to safe, effective new antibiotics to combat resistant bacteria

AI opens door to safe, effective new antibiotics to combat resistant bacteria
2024-07-31
In a hopeful sign for demand for more safe, effective antibiotics for humans, researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have leveraged artificial intelligence to develop a new drug that already is showing promise in animal trials. Publishing their results in Nature Biomedical Engineering, the scientists describe using a large language model—an AI tool like the one that powers ChatGPT—to engineer a version of a bacteria-killing drug that was previously toxic in humans, so that it would be safe to use. The prognosis for patients ...

Study finds many cocoa products contaminated by heavy metals

2024-07-31
For Embargoed Release: July 31, 2024 at 3:00 am ET USA   Media Contact: Katelyn Deckelbaum, katelyn.deckelbaum@gwu.edu and Kathy Fackelmann, kfackelmann@gwu.edu   Study Finds Many Cocoa Products Contaminated by Heavy Metals Dark chocolate lovers may want to limit their consumption to an ounce a day to stay on the safe side, according to the authors WASHINGTON (July 24, 2024) - A new study from George Washington University found a disquieting percentage of cocoa products in the U.S. contain heavy metals that exceed guidelines, including higher concentrations in organic products. GW researchers analyzed ...

Monarch butterflies need help, and a little bit of milkweed goes a long way

Monarch butterflies need help, and a little bit of milkweed goes a long way
2024-07-31
Monarch butterflies, with their striking orange and black wings, are some of the most recognizable butterflies in North America. But they're in trouble. Monarch caterpillars can only eat the leaves of milkweed, a native wildflower. As milkweed has disappeared, so have the monarchs, to the point that they're at risk of extinction. Research shows that planting milkweed in home gardens can add significant monarch habitat to the landscape. In a new study in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Father’s mental health can impact children for years

Scientists can tell healthy and cancerous cells apart by how they move

Male athletes need higher BMI to define overweight or obesity

How thoughts influence what the eyes see

Unlocking the genetic basis of adaptive evolution: study reveals complex chromosomal rearrangements in a stick insect

Research Spotlight: Using artificial intelligence to reveal the neural dynamics of human conversation

Could opioid laws help curb domestic violence? New USF research says yes

NPS Applied Math Professor Wei Kang named 2025 SIAM Fellow

Scientists identify agent of transformation in protein blobs that morph from liquid to solid

Throwing a ‘spanner in the works’ of our cells’ machinery could help fight cancer, fatty liver disease… and hair loss

Research identifies key enzyme target to fight deadly brain cancers

New study unveils volcanic history and clues to ancient life on Mars

Monell Center study identifies GLP-1 therapies as a possible treatment for rare genetic disorder Bardet-Biedl syndrome

Scientists probe the mystery of Titan’s missing deltas

Q&A: What makes an ‘accidental dictator’ in the workplace?

Lehigh University water scientist Arup K. SenGupta honored with ASCE Freese Award and Lecture

Study highlights gaps in firearm suicide prevention among women

People with medical debt five times more likely to not receive mental health care treatment

Hydronidone for the treatment of liver fibrosis associated with chronic hepatitis B

Rise in claim denial rates for cancer-related advanced genetic testing

Legalizing youth-friendly cannabis edibles and extracts and adolescent cannabis use

Medical debt and forgone mental health care due to cost among adults

Colder temperatures increase gastroenteritis risk in Rohingya refugee camps

Acyclovir-induced nephrotoxicity: Protective potential of N-acetylcysteine

Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 upregulates the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 signaling pathway to mitigate hepatocyte ferroptosis in chronic liver injury

AERA announces winners of the 2025 Palmer O. Johnson Memorial Award

Mapping minds: The neural fingerprint of team flow dynamics

Patients support AI as radiologist backup in screening mammography

AACR: MD Anderson’s John Weinstein elected Fellow of the AACR Academy

Existing drug has potential for immune paralysis

[Press-News.org] Improving Alzheimer’s disease imaging — with fluorescent sensors