VNTR polymorphism in the SLC6A3 gene does not influence dopamine transporter availability measured by [18F]FE-PE2I PET or [123I]FP-Cit SPECT

Objective To investigate the potential impact of polymorphism in the 3′-untranslated region (3′UTR) of the SLC6A3 gene (DAT1) on normal variation in dopamine transporter (DAT) imaging with [18F]FE-PE2I PET and [123I]FP-Cit SPECT. Methods Thirty-six individuals (mean age 70.4±5.4 years) with normal [18F]FE-PE2I PET and [123I]FP-Cit SPECT were genotyped for variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) in the 3′UTR of the DAT1 gene. The DAT-availability in the caudate and putamen as measured with [18F]FE-PE2I PET and [123I]FP-Cit SPECT, as well as in the substantia nigra with [18F]FE-PE2I PET were compared between the participants carrying one or two 9-repeat alleles (i.e. 9R+10R or 9R+9R; 47%) and the participants without a 9R allele (i.e. 10R+10R or 10R+11R; 53%). Nonparametric tests, linear regression analysis and mixed model analysis were used to assess any statistical difference in measured DAT availability between the two allele groups. Results The measured DAT-availability in PET- and SPECT-imaging tended to be slightly higher in the 9R-group; however, the difference did not reach statistical significance in either the caudate or the putamen or the substantia nigra. Instead, age did have a significant effect on the DAT level (P
Source: Nuclear Medicine Communications - Category: Nuclear Medicine Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research