Non-invasive kinetic modelling approaches for quantitative analysis of brain PET studies.

Pharmacokinetic modelling with arterial sampling is the gold standard for analysing dynamic PET data of the brain. However, the invasive character of arterial sampling prevents its widespread clinical application. Several methods have been developed to avoid arterial sampling, in particular reference region methods. Unfortunately, for some tracers or diseases, no suitable reference region can be defined. For these cases, other potentially non-invasive approaches have been proposed: (1) a population based input function (PBIF), (2) an image derived input function (IDIF), or (3) simultaneous estimation of the input function (SIME). This systematic review aims to assess the correspondence of these non-invasive methods with the gold standard. Studies comparing non-invasive pharmacokinetic modelling methods with the current gold standard methods using an input function derived from arterial blood samples were retrieved from PubMed/MEDLINE (until December 2021). Correlation measurements were extracted from the studies. The search yielded 30 studies that correlated outcome parameters (VT, DVR, or BPND for reversible tracers; Ki or CMRglu for irreversible tracers) from a potentially non-invasive method with those obtained from modelling using an arterial input function. Some studies provided similar results for PBIF, IDIF, and SIME-based methods as for modelling with an arterial input function (R2 = 0.59-1.00, R2 = 0.71-1.00, R2 = 0.56-0.96, respectively), if the non-invasive input curve was calibrated with arterial blood samples. Even when the non-invasive input curve was calibrated with venous blood samples or when no calibration was applied, moderate to good correlations were reported, especially for the IDIF and SIME (R2 = 0.71-1.00 and R2 = 0.36-0.96, respectively). Overall, this systematic review illustrates that non-invasive methods to generate an input function are still in their infancy. Yet, IDIF and SIME performed well, not only with arterial blood calibration, but also with venous or no blood calibration, especially for some tracers without plasma metabolites, which would potentially make these methods better suited for clinical application. However, these methods should still be properly validated for each individual tracer and application before implementation.

Quantification of P-glycoprotein function at the human blood-brain barrier using [18F]MC225 and PET.

INTRODUCTION: P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is one of the most studied efflux transporters at the blood-brain barrier. It plays an important role in brain homeostasis by protecting the brain from a variety of endogenous and exogeneous substances. Changes in P-gp function are associated both with the onset of neuropsychiatric diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, and with drug-resistance, for example in treatment-resistant depression. The most widely used approach to measure P-gp function in vivo is (R)-[11C]verapamil PET. (R)-[11C]verapamil is, however, an avid P-gp substrate, which complicates the use of this tracer to measure an increase in P-gp function as its baseline uptake is already very low. [18F]MC225 was developed to measure both increases and decreases in P-gp function. AIM: The aim of this study was (1) to identify the pharmacokinetic model that best describes [18F]MC225 kinetics in the human brain and (2) to determine test-retest variability. METHODS: Five (2 male, 3 female) of fourteen healthy subjects (8 male, 6 female, age 67 ± 5 years) were scanned twice (injected dose 201 ± 47 MBq) with a minimum interval of 2 weeks between scans. Each scanning session consisted of a 60-min dynamic [18F]MC225 scan with continuous arterial sampling. Whole brain grey matter data were fitted to a single tissue compartment model, and to reversible and irreversible two tissue-compartment models to obtain various outcome parameters (in particular the volume of distribution (VT), Ki, and the rate constants K1 and k2). In addition, a reversible two-tissue compartment model with fixed k3/k4 was included. The preferred model was selected based on the weighted Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) score. Test-retest variability (TRTV) was determined to assess reproducibility. RESULTS: Sixty minutes post-injection, the parent fraction was 63.8 ± 4.0%. The reversible two tissue compartment model corrected for plasma metabolites with an estimated blood volume (VB) showed the highest AIC weight score of 34.3 ± 17.6%. The TRVT of the VT for [18F]MC225 PET scans was 28.3 ± 20.4% for the whole brain grey matter region using this preferred model. CONCLUSION: [18F]MC225 VT, derived using a reversible two-tissue compartment model, is the preferred parameter to describe P-gp function in the human BBB. This outcome parameter has an average test-retest variability of 28%. TRIAL REGISTRATION: EudraCT 2020-001564-28 . Registered 25 May 2020.

Dose-response assessment of cerebral P-glycoprotein inhibition in vivo with [18F]MC225 and PET.

The Blood-Brain Barrier P-glycoprotein (P-gp) function can be altered in several neurodegenerative diseases and due to the administration of different drugs which may cause alterations in drug concentrations and consequently lead to a reduced effectiveness or increased side-effects. The novel PET radiotracer [18F]MC225 is a weak P-gp substrate that may show higher sensitivity to detect small changes in P-gp function than previously developed radiotracers. This study explores the sensitivity of [18F]MC225 to measure the dose-dependent effect of P-gp inhibitor tariquidar. Twenty-three rats were intravenously injected with different doses of tariquidar ranging from 0.75 to 12 mg/kg, 30-min before the dynamic [18F]MC225-PET acquisition with arterial sampling. Tissue and blood data were fitted to a 1-Tissue-Compartment-Model to obtain influx constant K1 and distribution volume VT, which allow the estimation of P-gp function. ANOVA and post-hoc analyses of K1 values showed significant differences between controls and groups with tariquidar doses >3 mg/kg; while applying VT the analyses showed significant differences between controls and groups with tariquidar doses >6 mg/kg. Dose-response curves were fitted using different models. The four-parameter logistic sigmoidal curve provided the best fit for K1 and VT data. Half-maximal inhibitory doses (ID50) were 2.23 mg/kg (95%CI: 1.669-2.783) and 2.93 mg/kg (95%CI: 1.135-3.651), calculated with K1 or VT values respectively. According to the dose-response fit, differences in [18F]MC225-K1 values could be detected at tariquidar doses ranging from 1.37 to 3.25 mg/kg. Our findings showed that small changes in the P-gp function, caused by low doses of tariquidar, could be detected by [18F]MC225-K1 values, which confirms the high sensitivity of the radiotracer. The results suggest that [18F]MC225 may allow the quantification of moderate P-gp impairments, which may allow the detection of P-gp dysfunctions at the early stages of a disease and potential transporter-mediated drug-drug interactions.

Typical cerebral metabolic patterns in neurodegenerative brain diseases.

The differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative brain diseases on clinical grounds is difficult, especially at an early disease stage. Several studies have found specific regional differences of brain metabolism applying [(18)F]-fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), suggesting that this method can assist in early differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative brain diseases.We have studied patients who had an FDG-PET scan on clinical grounds at an early disease stage and included those with a retrospectively confirmed diagnosis according to strictly defined clinical research criteria. Ninety-six patients could be included of which 20 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), 21 multiple system atrophy (MSA), 17 progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), 10 corticobasal degeneration (CBD), 6 dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), 15 Alzheimer's disease (AD), and 7 frontotemporal dementia (FTD). FDG PET images of each patient group were analyzed and compared to18 healthy controls using Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM5).Disease-specific patterns of relatively decreased metabolic activity were found in PD (contralateral parietooccipital and frontal regions), MSA (bilateral putamen and cerebellar hemispheres), PSP (prefrontal cortex and caudate nucleus, thalamus, and mesencephalon), CBD (contralateral cortical regions), DLB (occipital and parietotemporal regions), AD (parietotemporal regions), and FTD (frontotemporal regions).The integrated method addressing a spectrum of various neurodegenerative brain diseases provided means to discriminate patient groups also at early disease stages. Clinical follow-up enabled appropriate patient inclusion. This implies that an early diagnosis in individual patients can be made by comparing each subject's metabolic findings with a complete database of specific disease related patterns.

Regional increase in P-glycoprotein function in the blood-brain barrier of patients with chronic schizophrenia: a PET study with [(11)C]verapamil as a probe for P-glycoprotein function.

P-glycoprotein (P-gp), a major efflux pump in the blood-brain barrier (BBB) has a profound effect on entry of drugs, peptides and other substances into the central nervous system (CNS). The brain's permeability can be negatively influenced by modulation of the transport function of P-gp. Inflammatory mediators play a role in schizophrenia, and may be able to influence the integrity of the BBB, via P-gp modulation. We hypothesized that P-gp function in the BBB is changed in patients with schizophrenia. Positron-emission tomography was used to measure brain uptake of [(11)C]verapamil, which is normally extruded from the brain by P-gp. We found that patients with chronic schizophrenia under treatment with antipsychotic drugs compared with healthy controls showed a significant decrease in [(11)C]verapamil uptake in the temporal cortex, the basal ganglia, and the amygdala, and amygdalae, and a trend towards a significant decrease was seen throughout the brain. The decrease of [(11)C]verapamil uptake correlates with an increased activity of the P-gp pump. Increased P-gp activity may be a factor in drug resistance in schizophrenia, induced by the use of antipsychotic agents.

The Effectiveness of Deep Brain Stimulation in Dystonia: A Patient-Centered Approach.

Background: To systematically evaluate the effectiveness of deep brain stimulation of the globus pallidus internus (GPi-DBS) in dystonia on pre-operatively set functional priorities in daily living. Methods: Fifteen pediatric and adult dystonia patients (8 male; median age 32y, range 8-65) receiving GPi-DBS were recruited. All patients underwent a multidisciplinary evaluation before and 1-year post DBS implantation. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) first identified and then measured changes in functional priorities. The Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS) was used to evaluate dystonia severity. Results: Priorities in daily functioning substantially varied between patients but showed significant improvements on performance and satisfaction after DBS. Clinically significant COPM-score improvements were present in 7/8 motor responders, but also in 4/7 motor non-responders. Discussion: The use of a patient-oriented approach to measure GPi-DBS effectiveness in dystonia provides an unique insight in patients' priorities and demonstrates that tangible improvements can be achieved irrespective of motor response. Highlights: Functional priorities in life of dystonia patients and their caregivers vary greatlyThe effect of DBS on functional priorities did not correlate with motor outcomeHalf of the motor 'non-responder' patients reported important changes in their prioritiesThe effect of DBS in dystonia should not be measured by motor outcome alone.

Locally increased P-glycoprotein function in major depression: a PET study with [11C]verapamil as a probe for P-glycoprotein function in the blood-brain barrier.

The aetiology of depressive disorder remains unknown, although genetic susceptibility and exposure to neurotoxins are currently being discussed as possible contributors to this disorder. In normal circumstances, the brain is protected against bloodborne toxic influences by the blood-brain barrier, which includes the molecular efflux pump P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in the vessel wall of brain capillaries. We hypothesized that P-gp function in the blood-brain barrier is changed in patients with major depression. Positron emission tomography was used to measure brain uptake of [11C]verapamil, which is normally expelled from the brain by P-gp. Cerebral volume of distribution (V(T)) of [11C]verapamil was used as a measure of P-gp function. Both region-of-interest (ROI) analysis and voxel analysis using statistical parametric mapping (SPM2) were performed to assess regional brain P-gp function. We found that patients with a major depressive episode, using antidepressants, compared to healthy controls showed a significant decrease of [11C]verapamil uptake in different areas throughout the brain, in particular in frontal and temporal regions. The decreased [11C]verapamil uptake correlates with an increased function of the P-gp protein and may be related to chronic use of psychotropic drugs. Our results may explain why treatment-resistant depression can develop.

Parkinson's disease: the syndrome, the pathogenesis and pathophysiology.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterised by a slowly expanding degeneration of neurons particularly in the mesencephalon. The causes are unknown although risk factors in the genetic and toxic domain are being discovered. An important pathophysiological feature in PD is the loss of part of the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) resulting in a specific dysorganisation of the complicated basal ganglia (BG) circuits. The relay functions at the level of the striatum e.g., are out of balance leading to disturbed subcortico-cortical interactions. At a functional level this is shown by timing and scaling problems when performing movements and clinically this translates into initiation problems, bradykinesia and others. Dysarthria can of course be an important problem. However, how these basic disturbances of motor organisation can be copied into the cognitive domain (in terms of disturbed "mental movements") is a topic under discussion. It remains to be seen whether the basic pathophysiology of PD has consequences for the specific language organisation by the brain or whether language problems are merely secondary to the overall "mental motor slowing". Here an overview of the pathogenesis, basic pathophysiology and clinical problems of PD will be given.

Myoclonus-dystonia: Distinctive motor and non-motor phenotype from other dystonia syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Myoclonus-dystonia (M-D) due to a pathogenic variant of SGCE is an autosomal dominant inherited movement disorder. Apart from motor symptoms, psychiatric disorders are highly prevalent in patients with M-D. Previous studies suggest, but never tested directly, that the type of psychiatric disorder differs between dystonia syndromes, probably related to disease specific pathology. Little is known about other non-motor symptoms (NMS) in M-D. Here, we systematically study NMS in M-D in direct comparison to other types of dystonia and healthy controls. METHODS: Standardized questionnaires were used to assess type and severity of psychiatric co-morbidity, sleep problems, fatigue and quality of life. Results of M-D patients with a pathogenic variant of SGCE were compared to results of idiopathic cervical dystonia (CD) patients, dopa-responsive dystonia (DRD) patients with a pathogenic variant of GCH1 and controls. RESULTS: We included 164 participants: 41 M-D, 51 CD, 19 DRD patients, 53 controls. Dystonia patients (M-D, CD and DRD) had an increased prevalence of psychiatric disorders compared to controls (56-74% vs. 29%). In M-D we found a significantly increased prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and psychosis compared to CD and DRD. All dystonia patients had more sleep problems (49-68% vs. 36%) and fatigue (42-73% vs. 15%) than controls. Compared to other dystonia subtypes, M-D patients reported less excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue. CONCLUSION: Psychiatric comorbidity is frequent in all dystonia types, but OCD and psychosis are more common in M-D patients. Further research is necessary to elucidate underlying pathways.

Brain imaging in patients with freezing of gait.

Freezing of gait (FOG) is a disabling gait disturbance with unknown cerebral pathophysiology. In this review, we discuss the functional brain imaging studies that address gait physiology and pathophysiology of FOG. Radiotracer metabolic studies show basal ganglia-cortical circuitry involvement in different aspects of gait control. FOG patients showed orbitofrontal and posterior parietal deficits and possibly predominant involvement of right-sided circuitry. We suggest that FOG results from neuronal circuitry dysfunction in right-sided parietal-lateral premotor circuits. These circuits incorporate sensory information into the control of gait. Furthermore, abnormal function of frontostriatal loops, which probably sheer cognitive and attentional activities is also a main factor in FOG. Gait-induced brain circuitry activation can not adequately be achieved when investigated subjects are in a supine rest position, as is the case in most present day imaging studies. Some radiotracer activation studies were performed after walking. Imagination of gait has been used in some radiotracer activation studies with positron emission tomography (PET) and in studies with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), showing cortical activation patterns involved in several aspects of gait control. For future investigation of FOG, it is suggested to design PET and fMRI studies which concentrate on activation of neuropsychological and sensory integration circuits.

Relationships between Serotonin Transporter Binding in the Raphe Nuclei, Basal Ganglia, and Hippocampus with Clinical Symptoms in Cervical Dystonia: A [11C]DASB Positron Emission Tomography Study.

PURPOSE: Alterations of the central serotonergic system have been implicated in the pathophysiology of dystonia. In this molecular imaging study, we assessed whether altered presynaptic serotonin transporter (SERT) binding contributes to the pathophysiology of cervical dystonia (CD), concerning both motor and non-motor symptoms (NMS). METHODS: We assessed the non-displaceable binding potential (BPND) using the selective SERT tracer [11C]DASB and positron emission tomography (PET) in 14 CD patients and 12 age- and gender-matched controls. Severity of motor symptoms was scored using the Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale and Clinical Global Impression jerks/tremor scale. NMS for depressive symptoms, anxiety, fatigue, and sleep disturbances were assessed with quantitative rating scales. The relationship between SERT binding and clinical patient characteristics was analyzed with the Spearman's rho test and multiple regression. RESULTS: When comparing the CD patients with controls, no significant differences in BPND were found. Higher BPND in the dorsal raphe nucleus was statistically significantly correlated (p < 0.001) with motor symptom severity (rs = 0.65), pain (rs = 0.73), and sleep disturbances (rs = 0.73), with motor symptom severity being the most important predictor of SERT binding. Furthermore, fatigue was negatively associated with the BPND in the medial raphe nucleus (rs = -0.61, p = 0.045), and sleep disorders were positively associated with the BPND in the caudate nucleus (rs = 0.58, p = 0.03) and the hippocampus (rs = 0.56, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Motor symptoms, as well as pain, sleep disturbances, and fatigue in CD showed a significant relationship with SERT binding in the raphe nuclei. Moreover, fatigue showed a significant relationship with the medial raphe nucleus and sleep disorders with the caudate nucleus and hippocampus. These findings suggest that an altered serotonergic signaling in different brain areas in CD is related to different motor as well as NMS, which will further stimulate research on the role of serotonin in the pathogenesis of dystonia.

The Frequency and Self-perceived Impact on Daily Life of Motor and Non-motor Symptoms in Cervical Dystonia.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that non-motor symptoms (NMS) are the most important predictors of decreased health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in patients with cervical dystonia (CD). In this study, we evaluate an NMS screening list and examine the influence of motor symptoms and NMS on HR-QoL. METHODS: In 40 patients with CD, the frequency of NMS was evaluated using an extended NMS questionnaire. Furthermore, patients composed a list of their 5 most burdensome motor symptoms and NMS and scored the severity of predefined symptoms. HR-QoL was examined with the RAND 36-item Health Survey. RESULTS: Of 40 patients, 38 experienced NMS (median number of NMS, 6.5; range, 0-13; maximum, 15). The self-perceived most burdensome symptoms were tremor/jerks, pain, sleep disturbances, daily-life limitations, and fatigue. Also, of the predefined symptom list, tremor and fatigue were identified as the most disturbing. Several domains of HR-QoL were significantly influenced by NMS, whereas motor symptoms had only a small influence on the physical functioning domain of HR-QoL. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the impact of NMS on HR-QoL and emphasize the importance of a standardized, validated NMS questionnaire for patients with dystonia. This would enable us to monitor the effect of treatment for motor symptoms and NMS on an individual basis and improve treatment options.

Fatigue, Sleep Disturbances, and Their Influence on Quality of Life in Cervical Dystonia Patients.

BACKGROUND: Nonmotor symptoms (NMS) are highly prevalent in cervical dystonia (CD). In general, fatigue and sleep are important NMS that determine a decreased health-related quality of life (HR-QoL), but their influence in CD is unknown. The authors systematically investigated fatigue, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), and sleep quality in patients with CD and controls and assessed the influence of psychiatric comorbidity, pain, and dystonia motor severity. They also examined the predictors of HR-QoL. METHODS: The study included 44 patients with CD and 43 matched controls. Fatigue, EDS, and sleep quality were assessed with quantitative questionnaires and corrected for depression and anxiety using analysis of covariance. The Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale and the Clinical Global Impression Scale-jerks/tremor subscale were used to score motor severity and to assess whether motor characteristics could explain an additional part of the variation in fatigue and sleep-related measures. HR-QoL was determined with the RAND-36 item Health Survey, and predictors of HR-QoL were assessed using multiple regression. RESULTS: Fatigue scores were increased independently from psychiatric comorbidity (4.0 vs. 2.7; P < 0.01), whereas EDS (7.3 vs. 7.4; P = 0.95) and sleep quality (6.5 vs. 6.1; P = 0.73) were highly associated with depression and anxiety. In patients with CD, motor severity did not explain the variations in fatigue (change in the correlation coefficient [ΔR2] = 0.06; P = 0.15), EDS (ΔR2 = 0.00; P = 0.96), or sleep quality (ΔR2 = 0.04; P = 0.38) scores. Fatigue, EDS, psychiatric comorbidity, and pain predicted a decreased QoL. CONCLUSION: Independent from psychiatric comorbidity and motor severity, fatigue appeared to be a primary NMS. Sleep-related measures were highly associated with psychiatric comorbidity, but not with motor severity. Only NMS predicted HR-QoL, which emphasizes the importance of attention to NMS in patients with CD.

Gait dynamics in Parkinson's disease: relationship to Parkinsonian features, falls and response to levodopa.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) have an increased risk of falling that has yet to be fully explained. To better understand the gait disturbance in PD and the factors that contribute to falls, we quantitatively evaluated: (1) the relationship between gait variability (a marker of fall risk in other populations), fall history, and other parkinsonian features, and (2) the effects of levodopa on these relationships. METHODS: The average stride time and stride-to-stride variability were measured using force-sensitive insoles during comfortable walking. Fall frequency, motor control, function, and mental health were measured using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE), and the timed motor tests of the Core Assessment Program for Intracerebral Transplantations (CAPIT) in 32 subjects with idiopathic PD, in an "off" (unmedicated) state and again in an "on" (medicated) state. RESULTS: Average stride time was not associated with any UPDRS or CAPIT measure and was similar in fallers and non-fallers in "off" and "on" states (p>0.27). Stride time variability was significantly associated with fall frequency as well as with total scores on the CAPIT and the UPDRS, ADL abilities, and motor function. Stride time variability and falls were not related to tremor, rigidity or bradykinesia in the "off" state. 41% of subjects reported one or more falls. Stride time variability was 8.8+/-7.9% in fallers and 4.2+/-1.3% in non-fallers (p<0.009). Stride time variability significantly improved in response to levodopa, both in fallers and non-fallers, but remained increased in fallers (vs. non-fallers). CONCLUSIONS: The patho-physiology responsible for impaired stride-to-stride regulation of gait timing is apparently independent of other cardinal features of PD, i.e., tremor, rigidity, or bradykinesia, but is responsive to levodopa. Stride-to-stride variability is especially impaired among PD subjects with a history of falls, suggesting, for the first time, the possibility of exaggerated impairment of internal clock function in PD fallers.

Handedness and dominant side of symptoms in Parkinson's disease.

The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the presence of a possible association between handedness and the side of symptom dominance in 963 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). In only 287 patients the hand dominance was registered. Out of 254 right-handed patients, 158 (62%) had a right-side dominance of PD symptoms, while 96 patients (38%) had left-lateralized symptom dominance (p < 0.001). For the 33 left-handed subjects, 18 (55%) had left- and 15 (45%) had right-sided symptom dominance (p = 0.602). Right-handedness thus appeared to be associated with right-sided dominance of PD symptoms, while the group of left-handed patients was too small to draw conclusions from. Possible explanations are discussed.

Cyclooxygenase and neuroinflammation in Parkinson's disease neurodegeneration.

Cyclooxygenase (COX) expression in the brain is associated with pro-inflammatory activities, which are instrumental in neurodegenerative processes such as Parkinson's disease (PD). It is discussed that drugs with the capacity to rescue dopaminergic neurons from microglia toxicity and neuroinflammatory processes may result in an amelioration of parkinsonian symptoms by delaying the onset or slowing progression. This article reviews the involvement of COX in neuroinflammation, specifically focussing at the role of selective COX-2 inhibition in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease.

Fluorodeoxyglucose and C-Choline positron emission tomography for distinction of metastatic plexopathy and neuritis: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scanning has an established role in the diagnostic work-up of many malignant diseases and also in the evaluation of cancer treatment response. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography may, however be non-specific as infectious processes are depicted as well. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a patient with longstanding leg pain and weakness due to plexopathy developed a few years after treatment for prostate cancer. Prostate-specific antigen was raised and magnetic resonance imaging showed contrast uptake in thickened sacral nerves, suspicious for metastasis. While fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography showed increased uptake in the plexus region, (11)C-Choline- positron emission tomography did not show any uptake. It was concluded that the FDG uptake reflected plexus neuritis and no tumor. Treatment for pain relief was started. CONCLUSION: (11)C-Choline- positron emission tomography can be used to detect metastasis in patients with plexopathy suspicious for malignancy, while fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography is more sensitive to inflammatory processes.

Fused FDG-PET and MRI imaging of Takayasu arteritis in vertebral arteries.

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is an inflammatory vascular disease that mainly affects the aorta and its main branches. Cerebrovascular symptoms are not common and mainly involve the carotid arteries, while the involvement of vertebral arteries is rare. We present a 24-year-old woman with TA that affected both vertebral arteries. Disease activity was detected by (18)fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography (FDG-PET) in the absence of structural abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MRA. Although neurological clinical symptomatology suggested the involvement of the vertebral arteries, clear imaging of the anatomical substrate appeared only possible after the fusion of FDG-PET with MRI scans. The fusion of PET and MRI images may be helpful in establishing the diagnosis of active Takayasu arteritis in rare localizations such as the vertebral arteries.

Blood-brain barrier P-glycoprotein function decreases in specific brain regions with aging: a possible role in progressive neurodegeneration.

Cerebrovascular P-glycoprotein (P-gp) acts at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) as an active cell membrane efflux pump for several endogenous and exogenous compounds. Age-associated decline in P-gp function could facilitate the accumulation of toxic substances in the brain, thus increasing the risk of neurodegenerative pathology with aging. We hypothesised a regionally reduced BBB P-gp function in older healthy subjects. We studied cerebrovascular P-gp function using [(11)C]-verapamil positron emission tomography (PET) in seventeen healthy volunteers with age 18-86. Logan analysis was used to calculate the distribution volume (DV) of [(11)C]-verapamil in the brain. Statistical Parametric Mapping was used to study specific regional differences between the older compared with the younger adults. Older subjects showed significantly decreased P-gp function in internal capsule and corona radiata white matter and in orbitofrontal regions. Decreased BBB P-gp function in those regions could thus explain part of the vulnerability of the aging brain to white matter degeneration. Moreover, decreased BBB P-gp function with aging could be a mechanism by which age acts as the main risk factor for the development of neurodegenerative disease.