Generation of alpha-Synuclein Binding Peptides for Neuroimaging

Project Description: Many types of brain imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) are used to see any structural, functional, and molecular changes in patients with Parkinson's Disease. However, there are very few imaging probes for use with these methods for definitive diagnosis and tracking of the disease progression. This research project will develop novel, biological probes for the detection of protein aggregates associated with Parkinson's Disease. Development of these compounds will provide new ways to specifically detect aggregates in early-stage Parkinson's Disease.