Detection of Preclinical Parkinson Disease in At-Risk Family Members With Use of [ 123I]β-CIT and SPECT: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

To explore whether the radioligand 2 beta-carboxymethoxy-3 beta-(4-[123I] iodophenyl) tropane ([123I]beta-CIT) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) can detect decreased striatal uptake in at-risk relatives of patients with Parkinson disease (PD). Ten PD patients, 10 at-risk first-degree relatives of PD patients, and 10 controls underwent [123I]beta-CIT and SPECT brain imaging. Their striatal uptake ratios were compared. Age-adjusted specific to nonspecific striatal uptake ratios were lower in patients compared with controls and with relatives; however, ratios were similar in relatives and controls. Among relatives, ratios were consistently lower in subgroups postulated to be at higher risk for preclinical PD. Our findings provide preliminary support that [123I]beta-CIT and SPECT may detect decreased striatal uptake in relatives of PD patients postulated to be at higher risk for PD.