PET measurements of dopaminergic pathways in the brain

Positron emission tomography (PET) measurements of dopaminergic pathways ha ve revealed several new insights into the role of dopamine in the pathophys iology and pharmacology of brain diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD), dystonia and schizophrenia. PET studies of regional blood now or metabolis m identifies sites of regional pathology. Drug-induced changes in how or me tabolism indicate the function of dopamine-mediated pathways. Measurements of radioligand binding in vivo with PET reveals abnormalities associated wi th specific diseases and the actions of various drugs that affect the dopam inergic system. Finally, PET measurements of the uptake of analogues of lev odopa provide clues to the function of dopamine pathways potentially import ant for diagnosis and treatment of disease like PD.