Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography/Positron Emission Tomography Molecular Imaging for Parkinsonism: A Fast‐Developing Field

Abstract

The early differential diagnosis of Parkinson disease and atypical parkinsonism is a major challenge. The use of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/positron emission tomography (PET) molecular imaging to investigate parkinsonism is a fast-developing field. Imaging biomarker research may potentially lead to more accurate disease detection, enabling earlier diagnosis and treatment. This review summarizes recent SPECT/PET advances in radiopharmaceuticals and imaging technologies/analyses that improve the diagnosis of neurodegenerative parkinsonism. We are currently witnessing a turning point in the field. Integrating molecular imaging as a diagnostic technique represents an opportunity to reassess the strategies for diagnosing neurodegenerative parkinsonism.

Plasma α‐synuclein and phosphorylated tau 181 as a diagnostic biomarker panel for de novo Parkinson’s disease

“…Positron emission tomography (PET) and single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging are very sensitive at detecting decreases in the density of dopaminergic nerve terminals in the basal ganglia; however, these decreases are not unique to PD and these methods are expensive and expose patients to radiation (Verger et al, 2021). The proximity of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to the central nervous system (CNS) makes it an ideal source of diagnostic biomarkers for ongoing pathological processes.…”

Preparation of a gold@europium-based coordination polymer nanocomposite with excellent photothermal properties and its potential for four-mode imaging

“…Fourth, since tissues or organs with different densities and thicknesses produce different degrees of attenuation of X-rays, CT imaging irradiates the examined parts of the body with X-rays, resulting in different gray-scale image contrast distribution maps, which in turn can be used to determine the condition by changes in the relative position, shape, and size of the lesion. 30,32 Considering the high atomic number (79) of element Au and the excellent X-ray attenuation properties, we speculate that Au-containing GNRs@EuCP can be an ideal contrast agent for CT imaging. Fig.…”

“…28,29 However, this emerging imaging technology still needs further maturation in the face of various requirements for clinical diagnosis. CT imaging has a high density resolution and better visualizes organs composed of soft tissues, 30,31 and CT imaging is an electronic computer reconstructed image that does not overlap with images of neighboring body layers, 32,33 but CT imaging has a high risk of increasing cancer in human cells due to the presence of ionizing radiation. 34 Unlike CT imaging modalities, PAI, FLI, and PTI require safer near-infrared light as the excitation source and do not cause damage to human tissue if the laser density is controlled within a safe threshold.…”

Molecular Imaging in Parkinsonian Disorders—What’s New and Hot?

“…This has critical implications for accurate diagnosis and treatment in the vast majority of difficult cases [ 58 ]. Decision algorithm and practical issues have been previously reviewed [ 1 , 3 , 59 , 60 ]. Importantly, recent technical advances improved the reliability of semi-quantitative analysis of striatal binding, thanks to the better atlas-based delineation of the striatum and normative databases for age standardization [ 61 , 62 ].…”