Request for Funding

Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2004

Mentor: Frederick J. Bonte, MD
Department: Radiology: Nuclear Medicine Center
Room number: E6.120
Mail Code: 9061
Phone number: 214-648-2025
E-mail: Frederick.Bonte@UTSouthwestern.eduProject title: Nanoparticles As Vehicles For Labeling Amyloid Plaques In The Brain In Alzheimer's Disease

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): Mice and Rats

Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects): Animal-Based Research

Brief Description of Project:
Insoluble residues in the brain are one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. These residues, or amyloid plaques, are formed in growing numbers as the disease progresses, and, if suitably labeled with a radioisotope emitter could facilitate the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease by nuclear scanning techniques. This is becoming increasingly important as potential effective treatments for Alzheimer's are in clinical trial. A suitable application of these treatments depends upon the identification of patients who have Alzheimer's disease. For several years we have been formulating nanoparticles as vehicles to cross the blood-brain barrier conveying tracers which will label constituents of amyloid plaques. Recent results indicate that this may be a successful approach to Alzheimer's diagnosis.

Previous Research Activities With Medical Students:
C. Downey labeled Nanoparticle Project.
S. Davis labeled Nanoparticle Project.

Return to UT Southwestern Homepage

Return to Student Research Projects Index