Labeling of cerebral amyloid beta deposits in vivo using intranasal basic fibroblast growth factor and serum amyloid P component in mice.

Unlabelled: There is currently no method for noninvasive imaging of amyloid beta (Abeta) deposition in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Because Abeta plaques are characteristic of AD and Abeta deposits contain abundant heparan sulfate proteoglycans that can bind basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and serum amyloid P component (SAP), we investigated a novel route of ligand delivery to the brain to assess Abeta deposition in a transgenic (Tg) mouse model overexpressing Abeta-protein precursor.

Methods: The biodistribution of bFGF injected intranasally was studied using (125)I-bFGF in Tg and wild-type control mice and by unlabeled bFGF and SAP immunocytochemistry with light and electron microscopy.