RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Pattern of dopaminergic loss in the striatum of humans with MPTP induced parkinsonism
JF Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
JO J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 313
OP 316
DO 10.1136/jnnp.68.3.313
VO 68
IS 3
A1 Barry J Snow
A1 Francois J G Vingerhoets
A1 J William Langston
A1 James W Tetrud
A1 Vesna Sossi
A1 Donald B Calne
YR 2000
UL http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/68/3/313.abstract
AB OBJECTIVES 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 [18F]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.