The critical role of transition metal dyshomeostasis in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology poses demands of in vivo imaging for brain copper levels. Nanostructured probes afford prolonged retention time, increased accumulation, and enhanced photostability; however, their development for activatable photoacoustic (PA) imaging remains largely unexplored. We develop a principle of concept for activable PA imaging using in situ cation exchange of ultrathin zinc selenide (ZnSe) nanoplatelets for monitoring brain copper levels in AD mice. We start from quantitative modeling of optical absorption, time-resolved temperature field, and thermal expansion of copper selenide (CuSe) nanocrystals of different morphologies and reveal that ultrathin nanoplatelets afford substantial enhancement of near-infrared (NIR) absorption and PA pressures as compared to nanodots and nanoparticles. By tethering with a blood–brain barrier (BBB)-targeting peptide ligand, the ultrathin ZnSe nanoplatelet probe efficiently transports across the BBB and rapidly exchanges with endogenous copper ions, boosting activatable PA imaging of brain copper levels. We also demonstrate that the efficient exchange of ZnSe nanoplatelets with copper ions can reduce oxidative stress of neurons and protect neuronal cells from apoptosis. The nanoplatelet probe provides a paradigm for activatable PA imaging of brain copper levels, highlighting its potential for pathophysiologic study of AD.

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