阿茲海默症(Alzheimer's Disease)是一種嚴重的神經退化性疾病，是老年痴呆症的一種形式，這種疾病的特徵會使記憶力、思考能力和行為逐漸惡化，這些疾病帶來高昂的醫療和長期護理費用。目前沒有阻止或逆轉阿茲海默症的治療方法，只有少部分的醫療技術可以使症狀減緩。本研究製備了表面帶有Thioflavin T(ThT)分子的金奈米棒，針對阿茲海默症的其中一個成因Aβ42蛋白團塊具有結合特性。在合成Aβ42團塊的部分根據螢光光譜儀(Fluorescence Spectrometer)與掃描電子顯微鏡(Scanning Electron Microscope， SEM)的輔助下，確認了成功合成Aβ42蛋白團塊。接著以修飾ThT的金奈米棒與Aβ42蛋白團塊結合，並照射近紅外光藉由金奈米棒的光熱治療來分解Aβ42蛋白團塊。此奈米技術治療略為為阿茲海默症的治療提供一種可行性，並且希望透過此治療方式減輕這疾病帶來的醫療與長期護理的負擔。
Alzheimer's Disease is a severe neurodegenerative disorder and a form of dementia. This disease is characterized by a gradual deterioration in memory, cognitive abilities, and behavior, leading to high medical and long-term care costs. Currently, there is no treatment that can stop or reverse Alzheimer's Disease; only a few medical techniques can alleviate the symptoms. This study prepared gold nanorods with surface-bound Thioflavin T (ThT) molecules, which have a binding affinity for Aβ (Beta-amyloid) 42 plaques protein aggregates, one of the causes of Alzheimer's Disease. Using a fluorescence spectrometer and scanning electron microscope (SEM), the successful synthesis of Aβ42 plaques was confirmed. The ThT-modified gold nanorods were then combined with the Aβ42 plaques, and near-infrared light was used to decompose the Aβ42 plaques through the photothermal therapy of the gold nanorods. This nanotechnology treatment strategy provides a feasible option for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease, with the hope of reducing the medical and long-term care burdens caused by this disease.
