Patent ID: 8617515

Claim:
A method of detecting myelin-associated neuropathy comprising: identifying a subject at risk of or diagnosed with a myelin-associated neuropathy; administering to the subject an agent that binds specifically to myelin basic protein wherein said agent comprises; a compound of Formula I, a 13 C enriched compound of Formula I, an 19 F-labeled derivative of Formula I, or a radioisotope derivative of Formula I; wherein R 1 is an alkyl group; R 2 is an electron donating group and R 3 is an electron withdrawing group; or R 2 is an electron withdrawing group and R 3 is an electron donating group; and determining myelination in the subject by detecting the agent present in the subject; and wherein said agent has a large Stokes shift, as measured by at least a 100 nm shift in peak emission of the agent compared to peak excitation of the agent in DMSO; and comparing the myelination in the subject with a control sample wherein a lower level of agent in the subject is indicative of a myelin-associated neuropathy.