Development of Probes for Monitoring
Neurochemistry via Hyperpolarized Xenon MRI
The function of neurochemicals and receptors in the
living brain is very difficult to study. We are planning to develop
chemical probes that can detect the presence of certain receptors in vitro
and in vivo. The probes will be designed to both bind to a specific
neuroreceptor and to encapsulate an atom of hyperpolarized xenon. This
unique atom is eaily detected using NMR or MRI instruments, and should
allow for an accurate measurement of the density of neuroreceptors in the
living, whole brain. Students who participate in this project will
synthesize and analyze the probe molecules and will be involved in our
collaborative efforts to obtain high-resolution images of the rodent brain
using the hyperpolarized xenon probes.
