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Decreased dopamine D receptor binding in essential blepharospasm.

C Horie¹, Y Suzuki, M Kiyosawa

¹Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tokyo Medical and Dental University Graduate School, Tokyo, Japan.

Acta Neurologica Scandinavica

|June 11, 2008

Summary

Essential blepharospasm patients show reduced dopamine D(2) receptor binding in the striatum. This decrease in dopamine D(2) receptor binding may contribute to motor circuit dysfunction in blepharospasm.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Neuroimaging
Movement Disorders

Background:

Essential blepharospasm is a focal dystonia characterized by involuntary muscle contractions around the eyes.
The role of neurotransmitters, particularly dopamine, in the pathophysiology of essential blepharospasm is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate alterations in dopamine D(2) receptor binding within the striatum of patients diagnosed with essential blepharospasm.
To determine if dopamine D(2) receptor availability differs between individuals with essential blepharospasm and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

Utilized positron emission tomography (PET) with the radiotracer [(11)C]raclopride to quantify striatal dopamine D(2) receptor binding.
Enrolled eight drug-naive patients with essential blepharospasm and eight age-matched healthy controls for the study.

Main Results:

Striatal dopamine D(2) receptor binding was significantly reduced in patients with essential blepharospasm compared to controls.
Specific reductions observed: 11.7% in the caudate nucleus (P < 0.005), 11.6% in the anterior putamen (P < 0.0001), and 10.3% in the posterior putamen (P < 0.005).

Conclusions:

Findings indicate a widespread decrease in dopamine D(2) receptor binding throughout the striatum in essential blepharospasm patients.
Reduced dopamine D(2) receptor binding may be a predisposing factor for motor circuit dysfunction, leading to impaired inhibition of unwanted movements in blepharospasm.