Applications of gold nanoparticles for medical imaging

Background & Aim: Molecular imaging enables us to non-invasively visualize tissue microstructures and lesion characterization, allowing accurate diagnosis of diseases at early stages. A successful molecular imaging requires a nontoxic contrast agent with high sensitivity. Nowadays, a wide range of nanoparticles have been developed as contrast agents for medical imaging modalities. Here, we review gold nanoparticle based contrast agents employed in biomedical imaging modalities and address their structure-related features, advantages, and limitations. Methods: In this narrative review study, the relevant documents were collected using keywords such as CT/MRI/PET/Optical Imaging, Gold Nanoparticles-based contrast agent, Contrast media, and Molecular Imaging with no time limit at the databases of Web of Science, PubMed,and Scopus. Results: Gold nanoparticles offer several advantages, including facile surface modification, controllable physical properties, biocompatibility, nontoxicity and long circulation time Conclusion: Gold-based nanomaterials (AuNMs)ز with high atomic number and density as well as excellent biocompatibility are known to have good potential to be used as contrast media in biomedical imaging.