Breakthrough Brain Imaging Tracer Targets TDP-43 Protein Linked to Neurodegenerative Diseases
Scientists have developed a novel brain imaging compound that specifically targets pathological TDP-43 protein aggregates. The breakthrough could enable earlier diagnosis and monitoring of several neurodegenerative conditions including frontotemporal lobar degeneration and ALS.
First-Ever TDP-43 Imaging Agent Shows Promise
Researchers have developed what sources indicate is the first brain PET tracer capable of detecting pathological TDP-43 protein aggregates, according to a recent study published in Nature Communications. The compound, known as ACI-19626, reportedly binds specifically to the abnormal protein structures found in several neurodegenerative diseases, potentially enabling earlier diagnosis and treatment monitoring.