Imaging approaches to Parkinson disease

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Radiology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Parkinson disease (PD) involves nigral degeneration and striatal dopamine deficiency.
• Accurate diagnosis and management of parkinsonian syndromes are crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of structural and functional imaging in diagnosing and managing parkinsonian syndromes.
• To highlight how imaging aids in identifying PD-specific changes and guiding treatment.

Main Methods:

• Utilized transcranial sonography and diffusion-weighted MRI for midbrain and putamen abnormalities.
• Employed Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) to assess dopamine deficiency, glucose metabolism, and cardiac sympathetic innervation.
• Reviewed imaging findings related to cortical function, amyloid deposits, and brain inflammation in PD.

Main Results:

• Imaging can demonstrate midbrain abnormalities and striatal dopamine deficiency, supporting PD diagnosis.
• Atypical PD variants show specific imaging markers like striatal hyperechogenicity and increased putamen water diffusion.
• PET and SPECT detect changes in dopamine levels, motor responses, cortical function, and cardiac sympathetic denervation.

Conclusions:

• Structural and functional imaging are vital tools for diagnosing and managing diverse parkinsonian syndromes.
• Neuroimaging provides objective evidence of neurodegeneration and dysfunction, guiding therapeutic strategies.