Breakthrough technology indicates earlier detection for Alzheimer’s disease

Description

A molecular imaging approach based on Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CEST MRI) has been developed by Dr Kannie Chan Wai-yan, Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) at CityU, and her research team in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University in the US. The MRI approach dynamically measures changes in the levels of glucose in the brain’s lymphatic system, which could provide early clues about the disease.

The new imaging method is compatible with MRI machines commonly-used in clinics and hospitals, which means a low set-up cost and an easier transfer to clinical applications. Dr Chan anticipates that clinical trials can be conducted in three years.