title: Molecular imaging (SPECT and PET) in the evaluation of patients with movement disorders.
abstract: In this article the role of molecular imaging with SPECT and PET in patients with movement disorders is reviewed. It is mentioned that SPECT and PET imaging with cocaine analogues ((123)I-beta-CIT,(123)I-FP-CIT, (18)F-DOPA), radioligands labeling the presynaptic dopamine transporters, is of value for the differentiation of patients with PD or Parkinson-plus syndromes with individuals with essential tremor. In addition the clinical impact of this procedure, the role of molecular imaging in the preclinical diagnosis and in the follow-up of patients with PD, as well as, in the differential diagnosis between Alzheimer's disease and Lewy-body dementia, is evaluated. Finally, the clinical impact of (123)I-IBZM-SPECT imaging, a radiopharmaceutical which labels the postsynaptic D(2) receptors and the discrimination between idiopathic PD and Parkinson-plus syndromes (multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal ganglia degeneration), is mentioned.
authors.affiliation: 12nd Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine--AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece. george_gerasimou@yahoo.gr
authors.forename: George P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Gerasimou
authors.forename: Theodora C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Aggelopoulou
authors.forename: Durval C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gotzamani-Psarrakou
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015336:Molecular Probe Techniques; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2