Refereed journal article or data article (A1)
Increased Medial Orbitofrontal (18F)fluorodopa Uptake in Parkinsonian Impulse Control Disorders
List of Authors: Juho Joutsa, Kirsti Martikainen, Solja Niemelä, Jarkko Johansson, Sarita Forsback, Juha O Rinne, Valtteri Kaasinen
Publication year: 2012
Journal: Movement Disorders
Number in series: 6
Volume number: 27
Issue number: 6
Start page: 778
End page: 82
Number of pages: -695
ISSN: 0885-3185
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mds.24941
Background:
Impulse control disorders (ICDs) occur frequently in PD patients.
Methods:To investigate the possible involvement of the mesostriatal and mesolimbic monoaminergic function in ICDs associated with PD, we examined patients with (n = 10) and without (n = 10) ICDs using the brain [18F]fluorodopa PET.
Results:Patients with ICDs (e.g., pathological gambling, hypersexuality, and compulsive eating) showed up to 35% higher [18F]fluorodopa uptake in the medial orbitofrontal cortex, compared to control patients, but no differences in the striatum. The results remained significant also after excluding subjects with comorbid psychiatric disorders.
Conclusions:Increased monoaminergic activity in the medial orbitofrontal cortex might be associated with increased sensitivity for ICDs under dopamine‐replacement therapy in PD. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society