Machine learning prediction of multiple distinct high-affinity chemotypes for α-synuclein fibrils

Chem Commun (Camb). 2026 Feb 3;62(9):2922-2926. doi: 10.1039/d5cc06228d.

Abstract

To identify new ligands for positron emission tomography imaging of α-synuclein aggregates, we developed a machine learning model trained on <300 binding measurements. We used scaffold-guided curation to select a 30 compound prospective set from a 140-million-member library. Experimental validation yielded five high-affinity binders, showing robust generalization for ligand discovery.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Machine Learning*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • alpha-Synuclein* / chemistry
  • alpha-Synuclein* / metabolism

Substances

  • alpha-Synuclein
  • Ligands