Feature

A Molecular Atlas of the Alzheimer’s Brain

Label-free Raman imaging reveals molecular heterogeneity across Alzheimer’s-affected brain regions

By
March 2, 2026
2 min

The Analytical Scientist

Researchers at Rice University have developed a detailed molecular atlas of the Alzheimer’s brain using label-free hyperspectral Raman imaging for the first time. This method captures thousands of molecular spectra, revealing significant regional chemical changes beyond just amyloid plaques. By integrating machine learning, the study identified distinct tissue segments related to disease states, highlighting pronounced alterations in memory-related areas such as the hippocampus and cortex. Findings suggest Alzheimer’s disrupts not only protein structures but also broader metabolic processes, paving the way for future research on early disease intervention.