Modified Cyclodextrins for 19F-MRI Diagnostic Imaging of Early-Stage Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and regression is only possible at early stages that are poorly assessed by current diagnostic lipid panels or imaging. This proposal outlines the development of a novel diagnostic approach utilizing beta-cyclodextrins for indirect 19F magnetic resonance imaging of in vivo cholesterol distributions for early presentation of the disease, supported by in vitro an ex vivo experiments. By enabling indirect imaging of cholesterol, this approach develops the basis for diagnostic clinical quantitative imaging to revolutionize routine diagnosis and monitoring of disease and regression towards healthier and longer lives.