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Positron emission tomography in progressive supranuclear palsy.
M H Bhatt1, B J Snow, W R Martin
1Department of Medicine, University Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Archives of Neurology
|April 1, 1991
Summary
Positron emission tomography using 6-[18F]fluoro-L-dopa (6-FD) reveals reduced nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuron function in progressive supranuclear palsy. Early disease may involve dysfunction distal to these neurons.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Radiochemistry
- Neurology
Background:
- Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a neurodegenerative disease affecting movement and cognition.
- The nigrostriatal dopaminergic system is crucial for motor control and is implicated in PSP.
- Positron emission tomography (PET) with 6-[18F]fluoro-L-dopa (6-FD) is a tool to assess dopaminergic neuron function.
Observation:
- Seven patients with PSP underwent PET scans using 6-FD.
- Scans measured the steady-state 6-FD uptake rate constant in the striatum.
- Patients exhibited clinical features including axial hypertonia, vertical gaze palsy, and parkinsonism.
Findings:
- PSP patients showed significantly reduced 6-FD uptake constants compared to controls.
- A negative correlation was observed between 6-FD uptake and disease duration.
- One patient with early PSP had normal PET findings.
Implications:
- 6-FD PET can quantify nigrostriatal dopaminergic dysfunction in PSP.
- Reduced dopaminergic function worsens with disease progression.
- Early parkinsonism in PSP might stem from non-dopaminergic pathway dysfunction.