Reduced striatal [123I]FP‐CIT binding in SCA2 patients without parkinsonism

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Abstract
Degeneration of substantia nigra has been described in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2). In this study, dopamine transporter (DAT) density with [123I]FP‐CIT SPECT was studied in six SCA2 patients with no parkinsonian signs, six Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, and six controls. Marked striatal DAT loss was found in both SCA2 and PD patients. However, a more severe reduction in the caudate and a higher putamen to caudate ratio distinguished SCA2 from PD patients, suggesting a more uniform nigrostriatal impairment in SCA2. Striatal DAT density of SCA2 patients correlated with the severity of cerebellar ataxia.
Funding Information
  • Amersham Health
  • Italian Ministry of University and FIRB
  • FIRB (Fondo per gli Investimenti nella Ricerca di Base)
  • Ministry of Health (2001/RBNED1ZK8F.006)
  • Biological Markers in Par-kinson's Disease 2000, Italy