Dopaminergic Positron Emission Tomography Study on AmyotrophicLateral Sclerosis/ParkinsonismâÂÂDementia Complex in Kii, Japan

Abstract

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and parkinsonism-dementia complex in the Kii peninsula, Japan (Kii ALS/PDC) is an endemic and rare neurodegenerative disease. We conducted positron emission tomography (PET) study using C-11 CFT (2-b-carbomethoxy-3b-(4-fluorophenyl) tropane) and C-11 Raclopride for two patients with Kii ALS/PDC. Objective and methods: Patient #1 was 64 years old male having 12 years’ duration of the illness. Patient #2 was 68 years old female having 7 years’ duration of the illness. Results: In patient #1, CFT-PET showed marked decreased uptake in the bilateral corpus striatum, almost no signal in the posterior part of the putamen. RAC-PET showed mild decrease in the bilateral caudate nucleus and slight increase in the posterior part of the putamen. In patient #2, CFT-PET showed severe decrease in the bilateral corpus striatum, marked decrease in the posterior part of the putamen and in the caudate nucleus. RACPET showed the mild decrease in the bilateral corpus striatum. Conclusion: These results were compatible with L-dopa resistant Parkinsonism and similar to those of PSP.