^99mTc/Re complexes based on flavone and aurone as SPECT probes for imaging cerebral β-amyloid plaques.

ABSTRACT
Two ^99mTc/Re complexes based on flavone and aurone were tested as potential probes for imaging β-amyloid plaques using single photon emission computed tomography. Both ^99mTc-labeled derivatives showed higher affinity for Aβ(1-42) aggregates than did ^99mTc-BAT. In sections of brain tissue from an animal model of AD, the Re-flavone derivative 9 and Re-aurone derivative 19 intensely stained β-amyloid plaques. In biodistribution experiments using normal mice, ^99mTc-labeled flavone and aurone displayed similar radioactivity pharmacokinetics. With additional modifications to improve their brain uptake, ^99mTc complexes based on the flavone or aurone scaffold may serve as probes for imaging cerebral β-amyloid plaques.