Dopamine fiber detection by [11C]-CFT and PET in a primate... : NeuroReport (original) (raw)

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Dopamine fiber detection by [11C]-CFT and PET in a primate model of parkinsonism

Hantraye, P.; Brownell, A. -L.; Elmaleh, D.; Spealman, R. D.; Wüllner, U.; Brownell, G. L.; Madras, B. K.; Isacson, O.

Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School and Neuroregeneration Laboratory, McLean Hospital, MRC 119, Belmont, MA 02178, USA;

Department of Nuclear Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA;

Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and Division of Behavioral Biology, New England Regional Primate Research Center, Southborough, MA 01772–9102, USA;

URA CNRS 1285, 4 place du General Leclerc, 91406 Orsay, France

Abstract

MONKEYS were treated on two regimens of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) injections to achieve dopamine fiber degeneration of differing severities. A rapid treatment regimen produced a severe parkinsonian syndrome, whereas an intermittent regimen did not cause locomotor symptoms to appear up to 25 weeks. High resolution PET scanning of dopamine nerve terminals revealed that the specific binding of the dopamine transporter [11C]-WIN 35,428 ([11C]-CFT) was diminished by 94% (caudate nucleus) and by 93% (putamen) in the symptomatic monkey. Decreases of 65 and 67% were detected in these regions in the non-symptomatic monkey. Post-mortem immunocytochemical evaluation of presumed dopamine fibers by tyrosine-hydroxylase showed similar reductions in the symptomatic animal.

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