SPECT Molecular Imaging in Atypical Parkinsonism

Int Rev Neurobiol. 2018:142:37-65. doi: 10.1016/bs.irn.2018.08.006. Epub 2018 Aug 29.

Abstract

Atypical parkinsonism is the second most common diagnosis for patients with hypokinetic movement disorders. Beside common parkinsonian symptoms (i.e. bradykinesia and muscular rigidity) patients may also present a variety of additional motor and non-motor symptoms, such as oculomotor abnormalities, postural instability, ataxia, limb apraxia, autonomic dysfunctions, etc. Clinical heterogeneity and gradual manifestation during the disease course often hamper the diagnosis and adequate treatment. This chapter provides an overview of the contribution of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in the differential diagnosis of atypical parkinsonism.

Keywords: Corticobasal syndrome; Multiple system atrophy; Parkinsonism; Progressive supranuclear palsy; SPECT.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Basal Ganglia Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Basal Ganglia Diseases / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Molecular Imaging / methods*
  • Multiple System Atrophy / diagnostic imaging*
  • Multiple System Atrophy / metabolism
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / metabolism
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / diagnostic imaging*
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / metabolism
  • Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive / diagnostic imaging*
  • Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive / metabolism
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / methods*