Targeting Neuroinflammation: Strategies for Drug Design of Therapeutic Agents and Molecular Imaging Probes
A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Radiopharmaceutical Sciences".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 190
Special Issue Editors
Interests: neuroinflammation; neurodegeneration; drug design and development; pharmacological characterization; imaging probes
Interests: neuroinflammation; drug design and development; positron emission tomography; fluorescent probes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: technetium and rhenium chemistry; radiopharmaceutical chemistry; radio-metals; molecular imaging; radionuclide therapy; coordination chemistry of other metals of pharmaceutical importance
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Neuroinflammation is a complex and dynamic process that arises in response to injury, infection, or neurodegenerative stimuli within the central nervous system (CNS). It is primarily mediated by glial cells, especially microglia and astrocytes, which, upon activation, release cytokines, chemokines, and other inflammatory mediators. While acute neuroinflammation can be protective, promoting tissue repair and pathogen clearance, its chronic activation is increasingly recognized as a key driver of neuronal dysfunction and degeneration in disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.
Given its central role in disease progression, the ability to treat and resolve chronic neuroinflammation, alongside its in vivo visualization and quantification, has become essential for both research and clinical applications. Molecular imaging techniques have emerged as powerful tools to non-invasively monitor inflammatory processes in the brain. Positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) employ radiolabeled probes to target specific biomarkers, such as the translocator protein (TSPO) or purinergic receptors, enabling whole-brain quantitative assessment. In parallel, fluorescence imaging approaches offer high spatial resolution and sensitivity, particularly in preclinical settings, facilitating real-time tracking of cellular and molecular events.
Recent advances in probe design, including the development of highly selective ligands and multimodal imaging agents, are significantly enhancing the specificity and translational potential of these techniques. Together, these imaging strategies are transforming our understanding of neuroinflammation, enabling earlier diagnosis, improved disease monitoring, and the development of targeted therapeutic interventions.
This Special Issue focuses on advanced strategies for targeting neuroinflammation, with particular emphasis on molecular imaging probes. Contributions are invited on the design, development, and application of fluorescence-based probes, radiopharmaceutical agents, and other innovative imaging tools, such as nanoparticle- and carrier-based probes, for visualizing inflammatory processes in the nervous system. Emphasis is placed on multidisciplinary approaches that integrate medicinal chemistry, radiopharmaceutical chemistry, (radio)pharmacology, and imaging technologies to enhance diagnosis, monitor disease progression, and guide therapeutic interventions.
Dr. Imane Ghafir El Idrissi
Dr. Enza Lacivita
Dr. Cristina Bolzati
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- neuroinflammation
- P2X7 receptor
- drug design and development
- single-photon emission
- computed tomography
- tecnetium-99m
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