99mTc-TRODAT-1 SPECT/CT imaging as a complementary biomarker in the diagnosis of parkinsonian syndromes

Introduction Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Parkinson plus syndromes (PPS) are neurodegenerative movement disorders caused by loss of dopamine in the basal ganglia. The diagnosis of both PD and PPS is complex as it is made solely on the basis of clinical features, with no established imaging modality to aid in the diagnosis. Technetium-99m-labeled tropane derivative (99mTc-TRODAT-1) binds to the dopamine transporters present in the presynaptic membrane of the dopaminergic nerve terminal. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the potential usefulness of 99mTc-TRODAT-1 imaging in the diagnosis of PD and PPS. Patients and methods Fifty-eight patients with a clinical diagnosis of idiopathic PD or PPS were recruited. The severity of the disease was assessed using the Hoehn and Yahr scale. Patients in stage I and II were considered as cases of Early PD. Twenty-five apparently healthy volunteers served as controls. Brain single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography in all the participants was performed 3–4 h after an injection of 99mTc-TRODAT-1. Specific uptake ratios (SURs) of striatum were calculated for both the left and right striatum, and the values were compared between PD, PPS, and healthy volunteers. Results A significant lower uptake of tracer activity was found in either of the striatum in PD and PPS cases compared with the control group, which showed a symmetrical comma-shaped striatal uptake. This was also reflected in the SUR...
Source: Nuclear Medicine Communications - Category: Nuclear Medicine Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research