Project information
Příprava návrhu projektu do 2. kola H2020: Early detection of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease using hyperpolariyed XeBiosensor MRI (XENOIMAGE)

Tento interní projekt je určen na optimální podporu přípravy návrhu projektu H2020 s názvem XENOIMAGE, 1171/2014 (ID:47198). Projekt postoupil do druhého kola, do kterého se dostalo zhruba 25% návrhů. Projekt připravuje vědecky silné, interkontinentální a interdisciplinární konsorcium, které koordinuje MU a které zahrnuje partnery z oblasti fyziky NMR, nanobiotechnologií, fyzikální chemie, neuropsychofarmakologie, (klinické) neurologie a SME specializující se na MRI technologie. Náplň a smysl projektu ozřejmuje následující anotace:
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases (AD, PD) are devastating neurodegenerative diseases that ultimately result in the
inability to perform basic human functions. Effective treatments are lacking and there are presently no drugs that target
underlying AD and PD pathology or disease processes. It is known that AD and PD develop gradually. The lack of effective
early detection methods hinders possible early treatment. Improved screening and detection is urgently needed. We propose
to develop and validate in vivo an innovative molecular imaging technology based on hyperpolarized (HP) xenon biosensor
MR molecular imaging. The technique applies HP gas atoms caged in supramolecular structures conjugated with recognition
moieties to detect early stages of AD and PD. The advantage of HP xenon biosensor MRI technology is its sensitivity, which
when combined with the HyperCEST technique, provides approximately 1 billion times stronger signal than conventional
MRI, allowing detection of pico molar concentrations and submillimeter size pathologies. This method can be used for
identifying patients eligible for new treatment strategies, thus improving quality of patients’ life and reducing the financial
burden of health care. Successful implementation of the method can also stimulate developments in the pharmaceutical
industry that could apply this technique to pre-clinical drug validation. As this task has never been achieved in vivo,
successful outcome of the project will position the EU as the world leader in the HP Xe biosensor MRI technology and may
create new opportunities for diagnostic imaging industry in the EU. Lastly, the technique could be applied to other diseases,
such as cancer.