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Mohit H. Bhatt, MD; Barry J. Snow, MBChB, FRACP; W. R. Wayne Martin, MD, FRCPC; Richard Peppard, MBBS, FRACP; Donald B. Calne, DM, FRCP, FRCPC

Arch Neurol. 1991;48(4):389-391.

Abstract
• Positron emission tomography with 6-[¹⁸F]fluoro-L-dopa (6-FD) provides in vivo information on the function of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. We used 6-FD and positron emission tomography to investigate the integrity of the nigrostriatal system in seven patients with progressive supranuclear palsy. All patients had axial hypertonia, vertical gaze palsy, and parkinsonian features. Dementia, pyramidal signs, and ataxia were seen in varying proportions. We analyzed the scans with a graphic method to calculate a steady-state 6-FD uptake rate constant for the whole striatum. Results were compared with those obtained in seven age-matched controls. As a group, the patients with progressive supranuclear palsy had reduced 6-FD uptake constants. The 6-FD uptake constant correlated inversely with the duration of the disease. Normal positron emission tographic findings in one patient with the shortest duration of symptoms suggests that in early progressive supranuclear palsy, parkinsonism may relate to dysfunction distal to the dopaminergic neurons.

Author Affiliations
From the Neurodegenerative Disorders Center, Department of Medicine, University Hospital, and the TRIUMF PET Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication October 24, 1990.

Presented, in part, at the World Federation of Neurology Meeting, New Delhi, India, October 22-27, 1989, and at the First International Meeting of Movement Disorders, Washington, DC, April 25, 1990.

Reprint requests to Neurodegenerative Disorders Center, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, University Hospital, U.B.C. Site, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1W5 (Dr Calne).

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