Diagnostic imaging in Parkinson's disease.
Diagnostic imaging in Parkinson's disease.
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Original abstract
Brain MRI is essential for differentiating Parkinson's disease (PD) from other parkinsonian syndromes (PS). The purpose of performing brain MRI is to exclude other PS. Recently, several new MRI techniques such as functional MRI and neuromelanin imaging have been introduced in the diagnosis of PD. MIBG cardiac scintigraphy is a sensitive imaging tool to differentiate PD from other PS. Dopamine transporter imaging is a sensitive tool to detect very early neurodegenerative parkinsonism but is difficult to differentiate PD from other neurodegenerative PS. Brain perfusion imaging is sometimes useful to diagnose PD. Transcranial sonography (TCS) of the substantia nigra is useful to differentiate PD from other PS. However the recording failure of TCS in aged, particularly female subjects, may limit the clinical use in Japan.