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Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry logoLink to Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
. 1986 Aug;49(8):853–860. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.49.8.853

Brain dopamine metabolism in patients with Parkinson's disease measured with positron emission tomography.

K L Leenders, A J Palmer, N Quinn, J C Clark, G Firnau, E S Garnett, C Nahmias, T Jones, C D Marsden
PMCID: PMC1028944  PMID: 3091770

Abstract

L-[18F] fluorodopa was administered in trace amounts intravenously to healthy control subjects and to patients with Parkinson's disease. Striatal uptake of radioactivity was measured using positron emission tomography. The capacity of the striatum to retain tracer was severely impaired in patients compared to controls. This may reflect a reduction of striatal dopamine storage in Parkinson's disease. Patients showing the "on/off" phenomenon had an even greater decrease of striatal storage capacity.

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Selected References

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