This proposal describes the development of hyperpolarized-129Xenon (HP-Xe)-based probes for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of two biomarkers of inflammation and brain injury, the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) and the neurotrophic protein, S100B. Molecular imaging (MI) is an emerging discipline that tries to non-invasively visualize specific biomolecules in living organisms and has many medical applications with immense commercial potential. For example, MI-based biomarkers will allow for better treatment of disease through earlier and more precise diagnosis. In addition, they will help to shorten pre-clinical and clinical drug-development protocols by more sensitively and quantitatively measuring the biological actions of new medications. The sensitivity of positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) have led to the widespread use of these technologies for imaging specific bio-molecules in vivo. However, PET and SPECT have very poor spatial resolution (mm-cm) and use probes containing short-lived radioactive isotopes which emit tissue damaging ionizing radiation. MRI, on the other hand, utilizes relatively harmless radio-waves to image living organisms at close to cellular resolution (25-100

Public Health Relevance

We are proposing to synthesize probe molecules that can be used in conjunction with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to non-invasively take very high resolution pictures of the distribution of proteins called peripheral benzodiazepine receptors (PBR) and S100B in the tissues and brains of human patients. It has been previously demonstrated that examining the distribution of PBR and S100B in this manner will help us to better diagnose, monitor progression of and treat serious diseases such as multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase I (R43)
Project #
5R43NS065773-02
Application #
7941789
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-SBMI-T (10))
Program Officer
Fertig, Stephanie
Project Start
2009-09-30
Project End
2013-08-31
Budget Start
2010-09-01
Budget End
2013-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$375,595
Indirect Cost
Name
Kovogen
Department
Type
DUNS #
609395822
City
Mystic
State
CT
Country
United States
Zip Code
06355