We synthesized a novel series of phenylindole (PI) derivatives and evaluated their biological activities as probes for imaging Aβ plaques in vivo. The affinity for Aβ plaques was assessed by an in vitro-binding assay using pre-formed synthetic Aβ aggregates. 2-Phenyl-1H-indole (2-PI) derivatives showed high affinity for Aβ42 aggregates with Ki values ranging from 4 to 32nM. 2-PI derivatives clearly stained Aβ plaques in an animal model of AD. In ...