Characterization of dopaminergic dysfunction in familial progressive supranuclear palsy: an 18F-dopa PET study

J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2007 Mar;114(3):337-40. doi: 10.1007/s00702-006-0536-0. Epub 2006 Aug 8.

Abstract

We analyzed (18)F-dopa PET data from 11 members of kindreds with familial progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) to characterize their cerebral dopaminergic dysfunction. Three clinically-affected PSP patients showed reduced (18)F-dopa uptake in the striatum, orbitofrontal cortex and amygdala. One asymptomatic subject exhibited progressive putamen dopaminergic dysfunction. 60% of subjects with abnormal (18)F-dopa scans developed PSP subsequently. This is the first in vivo documentation of cortical dopaminergic deficiency in PSP. Reduced striatal (18)F-dopa uptake in susceptible relatives may predict later clinical disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amygdala / diagnostic imaging
  • Amygdala / metabolism
  • Amygdala / physiopathology
  • Cerebral Cortex / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebral Cortex / metabolism
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiopathology
  • Corpus Striatum / diagnostic imaging
  • Corpus Striatum / metabolism
  • Corpus Striatum / physiopathology
  • Dihydroxyphenylalanine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Dihydroxyphenylalanine / pharmacokinetics
  • Disease Progression
  • Dopamine / metabolism*
  • Down-Regulation / physiology
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • Limbic System / diagnostic imaging*
  • Limbic System / metabolism*
  • Limbic System / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / diagnostic imaging
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / metabolism
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / physiopathology
  • Pedigree
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Reference Values
  • Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive / diagnostic imaging*
  • Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive / metabolism*
  • Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive / physiopathology

Substances

  • fluorodopa F 18
  • Dihydroxyphenylalanine
  • Dopamine