The role of molecular imaging in assessing degenerative parkinsonism - an updated review.

The role of molecular imaging in assessing degenerative parkinsonism - an updated review. Swiss Med Wkly. 2018 Apr 26;148:w14621 Authors: Nicastro N, Garibotto V, Burkhard PR Abstract Diagnosing degenerative forms of parkinsonism still relies on a thorough clinical assessment, which in Parkinson's disease involves the presence of an asymmetric bradykinesia with rest tremor and/or rigidity that respond substantially to levodopa. Conversely, atypical forms, including multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal degeneration, exhibit additional features (cerebellar or pyramidal signs, early postural instability), a poor response to dopamine replacement therapy and a bad prognosis. Consensus diagnostic criteria have excellent specificity, but lack sensitivity, and a clear diagnosis solely based on clinical evaluation is not always accurate, hence the need for diagnostic biomarkers. Nuclear medicine imaging is definitely one of them, allowing a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of in vivo functional integrity of monoaminergic (e.g., dopaminergic) pathways, brain metabolism and protein deposition and representing a unique window into these complex diseases. It has proved useful for early and accurate diagnosis, and possibly represents a valid biomarker of disease pathogenesis, progression and response to neuroprotective therapies. This review focuses on the nigrostriatal pathway dysfunctions (demonstrated ...
Source: Swiss Medical Weekly - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Swiss Med Wkly Source Type: research