{
  "abstract": "Background: Neuroinflammation, driven by activated microglia, plays a central role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Non-invasive imaging of neuroinflammation holds promise for advancing our understanding of disease mechanisms and evaluating anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategies. The folate receptor (FR), specifically its {beta} isoform, has been identified as a marker of pro-inflammatory myeloid cells in peripheral inflammatory diseases; however, its association with AD neuroinflammation remains unknown. In this work, we first determined FR expression in microglia in mouse models of AD and subsequently evaluated molecular MRI (mMRI) using a folate-targeted nanoprobe for in vivo imaging of the folate receptor expression. Methods and results: Microglial activation and FR expression in APP/PS1 and P301S transgenic mouse models of AD was measured using flow cytometry. A FR-targeted nanoprobe for mMRI was prepared by functionalizing high T1-relaxivity liposomal gadolinium nanoparticle with folic acid. Following intravenous injection, localization of the nanoprobe in the brains of aged transgenic and wild-type mice was measured using T1-weighted MRI. Post-mortem microscopy measured nanoprobe localization relative to microglia and amyloid pathology. In both mouse models, FR{beta} was significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated in pro-inflammatory microglia expressing TNF and IL-1{beta}. The folate-targeted nanoprobe demonstrated MR signal enhancement in the cortical and hippocampal regions of transgenic mice but not in wild type mice; non-targeted nanoprobe control did not demonstrate signal enhancement in brain of transgenic mice. Microscopy confirmed colocalization of FR-targeted nanoprobe with IBA1-positive microglia/macrophages and amyloid plaques. Conclusions: Pro-inflammatory microglia exhibit elevated levels of FR, and its measurement by non-invasive mMRI is a promising marker of neuroinflammation in AD.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Texas Children's Hospital / Baylor College of Medicine"
  ],
  "article_type": "New results",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 13,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "A. A. Badachhape"
    },
    {
      "name": "P. Bhandari"
    },
    {
      "name": "R. Khan"
    },
    {
      "name": "R. Bhavane"
    },
    {
      "name": "R. Menon"
    },
    {
      "name": "P. Parekh"
    },
    {
      "name": "P. Admane"
    },
    {
      "name": "E. Ngan"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. Srivastava"
    },
    {
      "name": "E. A. Tanifum"
    },
    {
      "name": "A. V. Annapragada"
    },
    {
      "name": "R. M. Ritzel"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "K. B. Ghaghada"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/2q6m79gevx7qa.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.10.27.761963",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.27.761963v1.full",
  "id": "2q6m79gevx7qa",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.27.761963v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "biorxiv",
      "neuroscience"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": null,
  "pdf_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.27.761963v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-27",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/2q6m79gevx7qa.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-02T00:21:22Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.10.27.761963",
      "source": "biorxiv",
      "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.27.761963v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "biorxiv:neuroscience",
      "subfield": "neuroscience"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Molecular MRI of Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's Disease using a Folate-targeted Nanoprobe",
  "title_text": "Molecular MRI of Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's Disease using a Folate-targeted Nanoprobe",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-03T00:20:21Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/2q6m79gevx7qa",
  "venue": "bioRxiv",
  "versions": []
}