2-Arylimidazo[2,1-b]benzothiazoles: A new family of amyloid binding agents with potential for PET and SPECT imaging of Alzheimer's brain

We designed and synthesized a small series of 2-aryl-imidazo[2,1-b]benzothiazole, representing a combination of motifs from the two most potent amyloid imaging agents, PIB and IMPY. The binding affinity of the new compounds ranged from 6 to 133 nM. Among the best compounds, 3b (K-i = 6 nM) can be labeled with (CH3)-C-11 for PET imaging whereas 3j (K-i = 10.9 nM) can be labeled with I-123 for SPECT imaging. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.