Effect of D-penicillamine treatment on brain metabolism in Wilson's disease: a case study.
Sequential measurements of brain glucose metabolism were carried out in a patient with Wilson's disease, before and after successful treatment with D-penicillamine. They demonstrate an evolution of regional metabolism consistent with clinical improvement. The first study showed marked hypometabolism in the putamen on both sides. The second analysis showed bilateral improvement, with predominant residual deficits in the right putamen, while clinical symptoms of striatal dysfunction persisted on the left side. This observation suggests that positron emission tomography is able to follow the neurological evolution in cases of Wilson's disease.
De Volder
A
A
Positron Tomography Laboratory, University of Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
Sindic
C J
CJ
Goffinet
A M
AM
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects*; D001928:Brain Diseases, Metabolic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006527:Hepatolenticular Degeneration / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed
D001786:Blood Glucose; D010396:Penicillamine