PET Molecular Imaging Research of Levodopa-Induced Dyskinesias in Parkinson's Disease.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose of review

To review the current status of positron emission tomography (PET) molecular imaging research of levodopa-induced dyskinesias (LIDs) in Parkinson's disease (PD).

Recent findings

Recent PET studies have provided robust evidence that LIDs in PD are associated with elevated and fluctuating striatal dopamine synaptic levels, which is a consequence of the imbalance between dopaminergic and serotonergic terminals, with the latter playing a key role in mishandling presynaptic dopamine release. Long-term exposure to levodopa is no longer believed to solely induce LIDs, as studies have highlighted that PD patients who go on to develop LIDs exhibit elevated putaminal dopamine release before the initiation of levodopa treatment, suggesting the involvement of other mec

SUBMITTER: Pagano G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5626800 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature