| Abstract |
The purpose of this study was to analyze the efficacy of a Fluorogold bound conjugate in labeling neuroendocrine circuits of the median eminence and paraventricular nucleus in the hypothalamus. Fluorogold is a retrograde tracer that is detectable by confocal microscopy and can be linked to gadolinium DOTA to be detectable by MRI. The Fluorogold bound conjugate labels neuroendocrine cells with axon terminals that extend beyond the blood-brain barrier following an intraperitoneal injection. 72 hours after injection, MR images were taken then mice were sacrificed and brains were extracted and sliced to be analyzed with confocal microscopy. Results show that the fluorogold bound nanoparticle was not as effective as fluorogold alone in labeling the hypothalamus. This study establishes a framework for future creation of more effective particles that can be detectable by both confocal microscopy and MRI. This data will be used to understand mechanisms and to identify potential techniques to image neuroendocrine cells in the hypothalamus noninvasively, as they are important for hormonal regulation of important functions within the body, and dysfunction can lead to issues such as neurodegenerative disease, cardiac and respiratory dysfunction, and blood pressure abnormalities.
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| Modified Abstract |
The purpose of this study was to analyze the efficacy of a Fluorogold bound conjugate in labeling neuroendocrine circuits of the hypothalamus. Fluorogold is a retrograde tracer that is detectable by confocal microscopy and can be linked to gadolinium DOTA to be detectable by MRI. 72 hours after injection, MR images were taken then mice were sacrificed and brains were extracted to be analyzed with confocal microscopy. Results show that the fluorogold bound nanoparticle was not as effective as fluorogold alone in labeling the hypothalamus. This study establishes a framework for future creation of more effective particles that can be detectable by both confocal microscopy and MRI in a noninvasive manner.
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