Direct visualization of an antidepressant analog using surface-enhanced Raman scattering in the brain.

ABSTRACT: Detailed spatial information of low-molecular weight compound distribution, especially in the brain, is crucial to understanding their mechanism of actions. Imaging techniques that can directly visualize drugs in the brain at a high resolution will complement existing tools for drug distribution analysis. Here, we performed surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) imaging using a bioorthogonal alkyne tag to visualize drugs directly in situ at a high resolution. Focusing on the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor S-citalopram (S-Cit), which possesses a nitrile group, we substituted an alkynyl group into its structure and synthesized alkynylated S-Cit (Alk-S-Cit). The brain transitivity and the serotonin reuptake inhibition of Alk-S-Cit were not significantly different as compared with S-

SUBMITTER: Tanuma M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7213792 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature