Better brain scans for alpha-synuclein in Parkinson's and related diseases
In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization of Alpha-Synuclein PET Radiotracers
This project is developing new PET tracers to show alpha-synuclein clumps in people with Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, or multiple system atrophy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11181316 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are using computer-based screening to find chemical candidates that might stick to aggregated alpha-synuclein. Promising compounds are tested in lab binding experiments and on donated postmortem brain tissue to confirm they bind alpha-synuclein and not other proteins. The best tracers go into animal PET imaging studies and autoradiography before moving toward human imaging. The team checks selectivity versus amyloid and tau to avoid false signals and plans to advance suitable candidates for translational PET scans in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, or multiple system atrophy, and possibly healthy volunteers for comparison, would be the ideal candidates for later human imaging studies.
Not a fit: People without alpha-synuclein-related conditions or those seeking immediate therapeutic benefit are unlikely to gain direct clinical benefit from this imaging development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these tracers could allow earlier and more accurate detection and tracking of alpha-synuclein diseases and help test new therapies.
How similar studies have performed: This is relatively novel work because reliable, specific alpha-synuclein PET tracers are not yet available, so the approach is pioneering rather than established.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mach, Robert H — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Mach, Robert H
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.