We reported a visual/fluorescent method for assay of beta-amyloid oligomers (AβOs).
It was based on the inner filter effect of AuNPs on the fluorescence of quantum dots.
AβOs-specific binding peptide triggered the aggregation and color change of AuNPs.
It shows excellent selectivity to AβOs but not monomers (AβMs) and fibrils (AβFs).
The detection limits were 0.5 nM for visual assay and 0.2 nM for fluorescent assay.