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Review
. 2012:2012:259349.
doi: 10.1155/2012/259349. Epub 2012 Apr 10.

Recent advances in imaging of dopaminergic neurons for evaluation of neuropsychiatric disorders

Lie-Hang Shen  1 , Mei-Hsiu Liao, Yu-Chin Tseng
Affiliations
Review

Recent advances in imaging of dopaminergic neurons for evaluation of neuropsychiatric disorders

Lie-Hang Shen et al. J Biomed Biotechnol. 2012.

Abstract

Dopamine is the most intensely studied monoaminergic neurotransmitter. Dopaminergic neurotransmission plays an important role in regulating several aspects of basic brain function, including motor, behavior, motivation, and working memory. To date, there are numerous positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) radiotracers available for targeting different steps in the process of dopaminergic neurotransmission, which permits us to quantify dopaminergic activity in the living human brain. Degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopamine system causes Parkinson's disease (PD) and related Parkinsonism. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that has been classically associated with the reinforcing effects of drug abuse. Abnormalities within the dopamine system in the brain are involved in the pathophysiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Dopamine receptors play an important role in schizophrenia and the effect of neuroleptics is through blockage of dopamine D(2) receptors. This review will concentrate on the radiotracers that have been developed for imaging dopaminergic neurons, describe the clinical aspects in the assessment of neuropsychiatric disorders, and suggest future directions in the diagnosis and management of such disorders.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chemical structure of various radiotracers for the assessment of dopamine synthesis, reuptake sites, and receptors.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Chemical structure of various radiotracers for the assessment of dopamine synthesis, reuptake sites, and receptors.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Dopamine transporter (DAT) imaging with 99mTc-TRODAT-1 and dopamine D2 receptor imaging with 123I-IBZM of healthy volunteer and patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple-system atrophy (MSA), and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). The striatal DAT uptakes were significantly decreased in patients with PD, MSA, and PSP, whereas the dopamine D2 receptor uptakes were mildly decreased in patients with PD, MSA, and PSP.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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