Parkinson's disease: functional changes in frontal and parietal cortex using 18 F- fluoro-deoxy glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography.
BACKGROUND
In Parkinson's disease (PD) there is increasing evidence to suggest motor function changes of the cerebral cortex occur in addition to the pathological changes in the extrapyramidal system.


OBJECTIVE
To explore the functional changes in the frontal and parietal cortex in PD cat model.


METHODS
Twenty-four healthy male cats were divided into four animal model groups with the injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), and one control group.


METHODS
Cats in both the animal model and control groups were observed for the behavioral changes. They were also examined by 18 F-fluoro-deoxy glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ( 18 F-FDG PET/CT). Region of Interest (ROI) was determined by 18 F-FDG intensity and semi-quantitative analysis was employed after detecting the standard absorption value (SUV). Statistical Analysis : Statistical significance was evaluated by ANOVA.


RESULTS
Compared to control group, the 18 F-FDG intensity and SUV were found normal on both the sides of frontal and parietal cortex in the PD models on the second day (P > 0.05), and on the fifth day, they were reduced significantly on both the sides of frontal cortex exclusively (P < 0.05). Moreover on the eighth day, the SUV of both frontal cortexes was reduced, while it was increased in both parietal cortex (P < 0.05). Finally on the eleventh day, the SUV remained stable in both the frontal cortex, and was back to normal level in both the parietal cortex.


CONCLUSIONS
Functional disorders exist in the frontal cortex of PD animals and aggravate with time. Transient functional enhancement in the parietal cortex of PD cats might be a compensation for the dysfunction of frontal cortex.
Research Center for Sectional and Imaging Anatomy, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, China.
Zhongyu
Z
Hou
Shuhui
S
Hong
Bo
B
Sun
Xiangtao
X
Lin
Qingwei
Q
Liu
Shuzhan
S
Yao
Shuwei
S
Liu
D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects; D020267:MPTP Poisoning / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors
D009498:Neurotoxins; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine