Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for contrast agents, methods of making contrast agents, and methods of using contrast agents, and the like.

The present application describes novel Fe(III) macrocyclic complexes that have hydroxy pendants with a third anionic ancillary group for improved MR imaging in vivo. The complexes have the following general structure: (I) or (II) where high spin Fe(III) is chelated thereto. The present application also describes novel Fe(III) macrocyclic complexes that have hydroxypropyl pendants with a third anionic ancillary group for improved MR imaging in vivo. The complexes have the following general structure.

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Methods and compositions are provided for objectively characterizing a pathological lesion in a patient. The method comprises: introducing into the patient a contrast enhancing agent; subjecting the patient to magnetic resonance imaging to obtain an image; and applying a 3-D autocorrelation function to a subdomain of interest of the image to obtain at least one 3-D autocorrelation spectrum. The method may further comprise comparing the at least one 3-D autocorrelation spectrum to a pre-existing 3-D autocorrelation spectrum that is characteristic for the pathological lesion. In one example, the methods and compositions may be useful for identifying and objectively characterizing amyloid plaque deposits characteristic of Alzheimer's Disease.

Compounds used as labels with properties comparable to known fluorescent compounds. The compounds can be conjugated to proteins and nucleic acids for biological imaging and analysis. Synthesis of the compounds, formation and use of the conjugated compounds, and specific non-limiting examples of each are provided.

Provided herein are protein contrast agents and targeted protein contrast agents, formulations thereof, and methods of use, including but not limited to, as a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for contrast agents, methods of making contrast agents, and methods of using contrast agents, and the like.

Compounds used as labels with properties comparable to known fluorescent compounds. The compounds can be conjugated to proteins and nucleic acids for biological imaging and analysis. Synthesis of the compounds, formation and use of the conjugated compounds, and specific non-limiting examples of each are provided.

Compounds used as labels with properties comparable to known fluorescent compounds. The compounds can be conjugated to proteins and nucleic acids for biological imaging and analysis. Synthesis of the compounds, formation and use of the conjugated compounds, and specific non-limiting examples of each are provided.

Provided herein are protein contrast agents and targeted protein contrast agents, formulations thereof, and methods of use, including but not limited to, as a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent.

Provided are macrocyclic compounds and compounds with two or more macrocyclic groups, iron coordinated macrocyclic compounds, and iron coordinated compounds with two or more macrocyclic groups. The iron is high-spin iron(III). The iron coordinated compounds may exhibit a negative redox potential (e.g., relative to a normal hydrogen electrode at a biologically relevant pH, for example, a pH of 6.5-7.5). The compounds can be used as MRI contrast agents.