Carns, JenniferKeahey, PelhamQuang, TimothyAnandasabapathy, SharmilaRichards-Kortum, Rebecca2013-06-282013-06-282013-05Carns, Jennifer, Keahey, Pelham, Quang, Timothy, et al.. "Optical Molecular Imaging in the Gastrointestinal Tract." <i>Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Clinics of North America,</i> 23, no. 3 (2013) Elsevier: 707-723. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.giec.2013.03.010.https://hdl.handle.net/1911/71492Recent developments in optical molecular imaging allow for real-time identification of morphological and biochemical changes in tissue associated with gastrointestinal neoplasia. This review summarizes widefield and high resolution imaging modalities currently in pre-clinical and clinical evaluation for the detection of colorectal cancer and esophageal cancer. Widefield techniques discussed include high definition white light endoscopy, narrow band imaging, autofluoresence imaging, and chromoendoscopy; high resolution techniques discussed include probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy, high-resolution microendoscopy, and optical coherence tomography. Finally, new approaches to enhance image contrast using vital dyes and molecular-specific targeted contrast agents are evaluated.engThis is an author's peer-reviewed final manuscript, as accepted by the publisher. The published article is copyrighted by Elsevier.Journal articlehttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.giec.2013.03.010