Multi-channel functional imaging tool for neuropsychological drug development

Project Summary AbstractPhysical Sciences IncPSIin collaboration with Northeastern UniversityNEUSchool of Pharmacy proposes to develop a novel multimodal neuro imaging tool to support the development of new drugs and therapies for neurological disordersThe target end users are academic research laboratories and pharmaceutical companiesThis imaging tool is based on two photon excitation microscopyTPMto measure fluorescence signals revealing drug delivery efficacy and its effect on the neuronal functionIt will be capable of both real time tracking of the drug distribution and monitoring the neural functions of individual neurons in the animal brain in vivoThe high throughput measurement provided by this technology will facilitate multiple tasks during neurological drug development including effective compound screeningdrug delivery trackingand efficacy testingIf successfulthis versatile imaging tool will significantly reduce the cycle of Central Nervous SystemCNSdrug development and testingpromoting less costly and more efficient clinical translationTPM is a widely used imaging technology in neuroscience researchHoweverexisting researchorientated TPM systems are extremely expensive and complicatedand thus have very limited use in the pharmaceutical industry and biotechnology companiesThe proposed project aims to develop an affordable and easy to use TPM instrument to promote its translation of this enabling technology to pharmaceutical applicationsThis aim will be achieved by leveraging innovative approachesincludinga compact and low cost fiber delivered coherent supercontinuumSCsource to provide multiple wavelengths selectively used for optimal excitation of different fluorophoresanda novel design for a compact high performance TPM neurofunctional imaging microscope that will easily interface with animal brainThis unique TPM instrument will have an adjustable optical headwhich will substantially facilitate many in vivo brain investigationsThe low cost and high portability will promote the wide spread adoption of the technology within the pharmaceutical industryDuring the Phase I program PSI will focus on demonstrating the feasibility of proposed approachesA prototype instrument will be fabricated at PSIand then delivered to NEU for animal testingProof of concept experiments will be performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the prototype for real time tracking of drug delivery and assessing the neuronal functions before and after the application of neurological drugsA subsequent Phase II program would further refine the technology and test it during large scale animal studiespreparing it for commercializationThe achievement of this goal will be supported by the expertise and proven track record of the PSI investigators in developing advanced biomedical devicesas well as by the pharmaceutical science and drug development expertise of the research group at Northeastern University School of Pharmacy Project NarrativeA powerful neurophysiological imaging tool will be developed that will promote the development of new drugs and therapies for neurology disordersAs a resultthis imaging technology may enhance patient care by reducing costs associated with treating acute and chronic neurodegeneration diseases