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PET imaging of Alzheimer’s-induced inflammation to monitor progression and therapy response using a novel fructose-based radiotracer

Project Overview

One of the key processes driving Alzheimer’s Disease is inflammation in the brain, the severity of which may predict the severity of disease. Currently, doctors use special brain scans to look for signs of Alzheimer’s Disease, but these scans can’t tell if inflammation is present. This project aims to develop a new brain scan that detects inflammation by tracking how the brain uses a sugar called fructose. When the brain is inflamed, it uses more fructose, so this scan could show where and when inflammation is happening. The team will test this new scan in mice with Alzheimer’s to see if it can help predict how the disease will progress and how well treatments work. If successful, this new approach could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and better ways to monitor and treat it.

Principal Investigator

Adam Shuhendler , University of Ottawa

Team Members

Stephen Ferguson, University of Ottawa

Partners and Donors

Alzheimer Society of Canada

Project Ongoing

PET imaging of Alzheimer’s-induced inflammation to monitor progression and therapy response using a novel fructose-based radiotracer

  • Grant Type

    Capacity building grants

  • Area of research

    Neurodegeneration

  • Disease Area

    Alzheimer’s

  • Competition

    Alzheimer Society Research Program (ASRP)

  • Province

    Ontario

  • Start Date

    2025

  • Total Grant Amount

    $100,000

  • Health Canada Contribution

    $50,000