Magnetic resonance molecular imaging of neuroinflammation in mouse models of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases by precision targeting of CSF1-R

Microglia-mediated neuroinflammation plays a pivotal role in the initiation and propagation of pathological markers of neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). CSF1-R signaling mediates microglial activation, proliferation, and survival; both CSF1-R upregulation and increased proliferation of microglia have been observed in AD patients. Imaging technologies that effectively profile reactive microgliosis in vivo have the potential to be diagnostic tools, facilitate patient stratification in clinical trials, and monitor treatment. There is currently no clinically approved tool to profile reactive microgliosis in vivo. We present a novel molecular imaging technique for neuroinflammation by targeting CSF1-R with MRI sensitive liposomes.