Recent Advances in Visualizing Alzheimer's Plaques by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The presence of amyloid plaques in the brain is one of prominent histological features of Alzheimer's disease. However, imaging of amyloid plaques in vivo in humans is not yet feasible. Recent technical advances in high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods in mice have enabled not only the detection of amyloid plaques in vivo but also allowed to monitor the development of these plaques with age in the same animals. Further technical improvements to visualize small plaques at early stages at ultrahigh magnetic fields are underway. This review summarizes some of the current developments in visualizing AD plaques in vivo in mice and highlights their future impact on drug discovery. Furthermore potential application and challenges of translation of these methods for visualizing plaques in human are discussed.