| abstract |
This invention is directed to metal oxide nanoparticles of the general formula (I) wherein : wherein • R 1; is an organic coating to the metal oxide core, of polymeric type, catechol derivatives and trialkoxyalkylaminosilane; • R 2 : -NHCO-alkylenyl-C(0)NH-alkylenyl-R 3; • R 3 : -COO-, -CO-, -NH, -0-, -S-, -NH-alkylenyl-NH-, -NR 4-CSS-; • R 4 : -H, -CH 3, -CH 2-CH 3, -CH 2CH 2CH 3, and • M x0 y : iron oxide (Fe 3O 4 / gamma Fe 20 3), gadolinium oxide (III), manganese oxide (II) and copper (II) oxide; wherein the conjugated, functionalized and coated magnetic nanoparticle is capable of, when it is administered to a mammal, crossing the blood-brain barrier and specifically binding to the agglomerates and amyloid plaques present in brain tissue, and wherein with this nanoparticle bound to the agglomerates and beta- amyloid plaques in the brain tissue, hypo- or hyper-intense signals are observed in the region of interest through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The nanoparticles of formula I are capable of acting as positive (T1) and/or negative (T2) contrast agents for MRI for the early and non- |