Metabolic, Dopamine Status of PD Patients With Mild Cognitive Decline

Background: It is estimated that approximately 20% to 40% of patients with Parkinson disease (PD) develop mild cognitive decline. Since dihydrotetrabenazine (DTBZ) has a high affinity for binding to the type 2 vesicular monoamine transporter, radiolabeling this agent has enabled PET imaging, which can evaluate dopaminergic neurons in the brain. 18 F-Fluorodeoxyglucose ( 18 F-FDG) PET can provide complementary imaging to assess the brain's metabolic function. Objective: To determine whether decreased [ 18 F] 9-Fluoropropyl-(+)-DTBZ ( 18 F-FP-DTBZ) uptake in the striatal region and decreased 18 F uptake in the cerebral cortex would correlate with the patient's cognitive status. Design: Cross-sectional study. Participants: Healthy subjects and patients with diagnosed PD. Patients with PD were subcategorized into those with normal cognitive function and those with mild cognitive decline. Methods: All participants who met inclusion criteria underwent both 18 F-FP-DTBZ and 18 F-FDG PET ima more...