Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

[18F]-FDopa positron emission tomography imaging in corticobasal syndrome

  • RESEARCH
  • Published:
Brain Imaging and Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

First, to investigate the patterns of [18F]-FDOPA positron emission tomography imaging in corticobasal syndrome using visual and semi-quantitative analysis and to compare them with patterns found in Parkinson’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy. Then, to search for correlations with clinical features and [18F]-FDG positron emission tomography imaging.

Methods

27 corticobasal syndrome patients who underwent [18F]-FDOPA positron emission tomography imaging were retrospectively studied. They were compared to 27 matched Parkinson’s disease patients, 12 progressive supranuclear palsy patients and 53 normal controls. Scans were visually assigned to one of the following patterns: normal; unilateral homogeneous striatal uptake reduction; putamen uptake reduction with putamen-caudate gradient. A semi-quantitative analysis of striatal regional uptake and asymmetry was performed and correlated to clinical features and [18F]-FDG positron emission tomography patterns.

Results

[18F]-FDOPA positron emission tomography appeared visually abnormal in only 33.5% of corticobasal syndrome patients. However, semi-quantitative analysis found putaminal asymmetry in 63%. Striatal uptake was homogeneously reduced in both putamen and caudate nucleus in corticobasal syndrome patients unlike in Parkinson’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy. No correlation was found between [18F]-FDOPA positron emission tomography and clinical features. Half of corticobasal syndrome patients presented a corticobasal degeneration pattern on [18F]-FDG positron emission tomography.

 Conclusion

[18F]-FDOPA positron emission tomography can often be normal in corticobasal syndrome patients. Semi-quantitative analysis is useful to unmask a significant asymmetry in many of them. Homogeneous striatal uptake reduction contralateral to the clinical signs is highly suggestive of corticobasal syndrome. This finding can be helpful to better characterize this syndrome with respect to Parkinson’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The datasets generated during and analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

References

  • Alster, P., Madetko, N. K., Koziorowski, D. M., Królicki, L., Budrewicz, S., Friedman, A. (2019) Accumulation of Tau protein, metabolism and perfusion—application and efficacy of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) imaging in the examination of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and corticobasal. Frontiers in Neurology. 10.

  • Armstrong, M. J., Litvan, I., Lang, A. E., Bak, T. H., Bhatia, K. P., Borroni, B., et al. (2013). Criteria for the diagnosis of corticobasal degeneration. Neurology, 80(5), 496–503.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Benvenutto, A., Guedj, E., Felician, O., Eusebio, A., Azulay, J. P., Ceccaldi, M., et al. (2020). Clinical phenotypes in corticobasal syndrome with or without amyloidosis biomarkers. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 74(1), 331–343.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bhatt, M. H., Snow, B. J., Martin, W. R., Peppard, R., & Calne, D. B. (1991). Positron emission tomography in progressive supranuclear palsy. Archives of Neurology, 48(4), 389–391.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Boeve, B. F., Maraganore, D. M., Parisi, J. E., Ahlskog, J. E., Graff-Radford, N., Caselli, R. J., et al. (1999). Pathologic heterogeneity in clinically diagnosed corticobasal degeneration. Neurology, 53(4), 795–800.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brooks, D. J., Ibanez, V., Sawle, G. V., Quinn, N., Lees, A. J., Mathias, C. J., et al. (1990). Differing patterns of striatal18F-dopa uptake in Parkinson’s disease, multiple system atrophy, and progressive supranuclear palsy. Annals of Neurology., 28(4), 547–555.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cerami, C., Dodich, A., Iannaccone, S., Magnani, G., Marcone, A., Guglielmo, P., et al. (2020). Individual brain metabolic signatures in corticobasal syndrome. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 76(2), 517–528.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ceravolo, R., Rossi, C., Cilia, R., Tognoni, G., Antonini, A., Volterrani, D., et al. (2013). Evidence of delayed nigrostriatal dysfunction in corticobasal syndrome: A SPECT follow-up study. Parkinsonism & Related Disorders, 19(5), 557–559.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cilia, R., Rossi, C., Frosini, D., Volterrani, D., Siri, C., Pagni, C., et al. (2011). Dopamine transporter SPECT imaging in corticobasal syndrome. PLoS One, 6(5), e18301.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Darcourt, J., Booij, J., Tatsch, K., Varrone, A., Vander Borght, T., Kapucu, Ö. L., et al. (2010). EANM procedure guidelines for brain neurotransmission SPECT using 123I-labelled dopamine transporter ligands, version 2. European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, 37(2), 443–450.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Darcourt, J., Schiazza, A., Sapin, N., Dufour, M., Ouvrier, M. J., Benisvy, D., et al. (2014). 18F-FDOPA PET for the diagnosis of parkinsonian syndromes. The Quarterly Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, 58(4), 355–365.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Di Stasio, F., Suppa, A., Marsili, L., Upadhyay, N., Asci, F., Bologna, M., et al. (2019). Corticobasal syndrome: Neuroimaging and neurophysiological advances. European Journal of Neurology., 26(5), 701.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Doran, M., du Plessis, D. G., Enevoldson, T. P., Fletcher, N. A., Ghadiali, E., & Larner, A. J. (2003). Pathological heterogeneity of clinically diagnosed corticobasal degeneration. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 216(1), 127–134.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hammesfahr, S., Antke, C., Mamlins, E., Beu, M., Wojtecki, L., Ferrea, S., et al. (2016). FP-CIT- and IBZM-SPECT in corticobasal syndrome: results from a clinical follow-up study. Neuro-Degenerative Diseases, 16(5–6), 342–347.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Höglinger, G. U., Respondek, G., Stamelou, M., Kurz, C., Josephs, K. A., Lang, A. E., et al. (2017). Clinical diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy: The movement disorder society criteria. Movement Disorders, 32(6), 853–864.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Jaimini, A., Tripathi, M., D’Souza, M. M., Panwar, P., Sharma, R., Mehta, S., et al. (2013). Utility of intrastriatal ratios of FDOPA to differentiate idiopathic Parkinson’s disease from atypical parkinsonian disorders. Nuclear Medicine Communications, 34(5), 426–431.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kaasinen, V., Gardberg, M., Röyttä, M., Seppänen, M., & Päivärinta, M. (2013). Normal dopamine transporter SPECT in neuropathologically confirmed corticobasal degeneration. Journal of Neurology, 260(5), 1410–1411.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Klaffke, S., Kuhn, A. A., Plotkin, M., Amthauer, H., Harnack, D., Felix, R., et al. (2006). Dopamine transporters, D2 receptors, and glucose metabolism in corticobasal degeneration. Movement Disorders, 21(10), 1724–1727.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Koga, S., Josephs, K. A., Aiba, I., Yoshida, M., & Dickson, D. W. (2022). Neuropathology and emerging biomarkers in corticobasal syndrome. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 93(9), 919–929.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Laureys, S., Salmon, E., Garraux, G., Peigneux, P., Lemaire, C., Degueldre, C., et al. (1999). Fluorodopa uptake and glucose metabolism in early stages of corticobasal degeneration. Journal of Neurology, 246(12), 1151–1158.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, S. E., Rabinovici, G. D., Mayo, M. C., Wilson, S. M., Seeley, W. W., DeArmond, S. J., et al. (2011). Clinicopathological correlations in corticobasal degeneration. Annals of Neurology, 70(2), 327–340.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Litvan, I., Agid, Y., Goetz, C., Jankovic, J., Wenning, G. K., Brandel, J. P., et al. (1997). Accuracy of the clinical diagnosis of corticobasal degeneration: A clinicopathologic study. Neurology, 48(1), 119–125.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mille, E., Levin, J., Brendel, M., Zach, C., Barthel, H., Sabri, O., et al. (2017). Cerebral glucose metabolism and dopaminergic function in patients with corticobasal syndrome. Journal of Neuroimaging, 27(2), 255–261.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Morbelli, S., Esposito, G., Arbizu, J., Barthel, H., Boellaard, R., Bohnen, N. I., et al. (2020). EANM practice guideline/SNMMI procedure standard for dopaminergic imaging in Parkinsonian syndromes 10. European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, 47(8), 1885–912.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Nagasawa, H., Tanji, H., Nomura, H., Saito, H., Itoyama, Y., Kimura, I., et al. (1996). PET study of cerebral glucose metabolism and fluorodopa uptake in patients with corticobasal degeneration. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 139(2), 210–217.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Niethammer, M., Tang, C. C., Feigin, A., Allen, P. J., Heinen, L., Hellwig, S., et al. (2014). A disease-specific metabolic brain network associated with corticobasal degeneration. Brain, 137(11), 3036–3046.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • O’Sullivan, S. S., Burn, D. J., Holton, J. L., & Lees, A. J. (2008). Normal dopamine transporter single photon-emission CT scan in corticobasal degeneration. Movement Disorders, 23(16), 2424–2426.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Otsuka, M., & Taniwaki, T. (1999). Functional imaging for disorders of basal ganglia. Rinsho Shinkeigaku, 39(1), 30–32.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pardini, M., Huey, E. D., Spina, S., Kreisl, W. C., Morbelli, S., Wassermann, E. M., et al. (2019). FDG-PET patterns associated with underlying pathology in corticobasal syndrome. Neurology, 92(10), e1121–e1135.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Parmera, J. B., Coutinho, A. M., Aranha, M. R., Studart-Neto, A., de Godoi, C. C., de Almeida, I. J., Fontoura Solla, D. J., Ono, C. R., Barbosa, E. R., Nitrini, R., Buchpiguel, C. A., & Brucki, S. M. D. (2021). FDG-PET patterns predict amyloid deposition and clinical profile in corticobasal syndrome. Movement Disorders, 36(3), 651–661.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pavese, N., & Brooks, D. J. (2009). Imaging neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Basis of Disease, 1792(7), 722–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Postuma, R. B., Berg, D., Stern, M., Poewe, W., Olanow, C. W., Oertel, W., Obeso, J., Marek, K., Litvan, I., Lang, A. E., Halliday, G., Goetz, C. G., Gasser, T., Dubois, B., Chan, P., Bloem, B. R., Adler, C. H., & Deuschl, G. (2015). MDS clinical diagnostic criteria for Parkinson’s disease. Movement Disorders, 30(12), 1591–1601.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Puñal-Riobóo, J., Serena-Puig, A., Varela-Lema, L., Alvarez-Páez, A., & Ruano-Ravina, A. (2009). Utilidad clínica de la (18)FDOPA-PET en trastornos del movimiento. Una revisión sistemática [Clinical utility of (18)F-DOPA-PET in movement disorders. A systematic review]. Revista Española de Medicina Nuclear, 28(3), 106–13.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sawle, G. V., Brooks, D. J., Marsden, C. D., & Frackowiak, R. S. (1991). Corticobasal degeneration. A unique pattern of regional cortical oxygen hypometabolism and striatal fluorodopa uptake demonstrated by positron emission tomography. Brain, 114(Pt 1B), 541–56.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stormezand, G. N., Chaves, L. T., Vállez García, D., Doorduin, J., De Jong, B. M., Leenders, K. L., et al. (2020). Intrastriatal gradient analyses of 18F-FDOPA PET scans for differentiation of Parkinsonian disorders. NeuroImage: Clinical, 25, 102161.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tzourio-Mazoyer, N., Landeau, B., Papathanassiou, D., Crivello, F., Etard, O., Delcroix, N., et al. (2002). Automated anatomical labeling of activations in SPM using a macroscopic anatomical parcellation of the MNI MRI single-subject brain. NeuroImage, 15(1), 273–289.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr Malick KOULIBALY and Dr Nadine SAPIN for their help for this work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Movement Disorders Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France

    Anaïs El Ouartassi & Caroline Giordana

  2. Neurology Department, Centre Hospitalier d’Antibes, 107 Avenue de Nice, Antibes, France

    Anaïs El Ouartassi

  3. Nuclear Medicine Department, Centre Antoine Lacassagne, Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France

    Aurélie Schiazza, David Chardin & Jacques Darcourt

  4. Research Group, UMR 4320, CEA-Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France

    Aurélie Schiazza, David Chardin & Jacques Darcourt

Authors
  1. Anaïs El Ouartassi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Caroline Giordana
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Aurélie Schiazza
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. David Chardin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jacques Darcourt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

EL OUARTASSI Anaïs, SCHIAZZA Aurélie, GIORDANA Caroline and DARCOURT Jacques: study design, writing of the first draft. CHARDIN David and DARCOURT Jacques: statistical analysis; EL OUARTASSI Anaïs, SCHIAZZA Aurélie, GIORDANA Caroline, DARCOURT Jacques and CHARDIN David: review and critique.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anaïs El Ouartassi.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval

The study was declared in the public directory of the Institut National des Données de Santé (INDS—France) (MR3310220420). The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the French Society of Nuclear Medicine Ethic Committee (IRB number: CEMEN 2021–04).

Consent to participate/publication

Participants’ consents were obtained according to the Declaration of Helsinki.

Conflicts of interest

We have no conflicts of interest concerning this research.

Additional information

Publisher's note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (DOCX 18 KB)

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

El Ouartassi, A., Giordana, C., Schiazza, A. et al. [18F]-FDopa positron emission tomography imaging in corticobasal syndrome. Brain Imaging and Behavior 17, 619–627 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11682-023-00789-z

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11682-023-00789-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation