Pattern of dopaminergic loss in the striatum of humans with MPTP induced parkinsonism.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the distribution of striatal dopaminergic function in humans with parkinsonism induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) to determine if there is a caudate-putamen gradient as is seen in idiopathic Parkinson's disease.


METHODS
We scanned nine humans exposed to MPTP with parkinsonism ranging from minimal to severe using [(18)F]fluorodopa (FD) and high resolution PET. The results were compared with those of 10 patients with Parkinson's disease and six normal subjects.


RESULTS
In the MPTP group there was an equal degree of reduction of dopaminergic function in the caudate and putamen. This was different from the greater putaminal than caudate loss in Parkinson's disease (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Parkinson's disease is not caused by transient exposure to MPTP.
Snow
B J
BJ
The Neurodegenerative Disorders Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. bsnow@ahsl.co.nz
Vingerhoets
F J
FJ
Langston
J W
JW
Tetrud
J W
JW
Sossi
V
V
Calne
D B
DB
D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010302:Parkinson Disease, Secondary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed
D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine