Pattern of dopaminergic loss in the striatum of humans with MPTP induced parkinsonism

Objectives-To examine the distribution of striatal dopaminergic function in humans with parkinsonism induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropy ridine (MPTP) to determine if there is a caudate-putamen gradient as is see n in idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Methods-We scanned nine humans exposed to MPTP with parkinsonism ranging fr om minimal to severe using [F-18]fluorodopa (FD) and high resolution PET. T he results were compared with those of 10 patients with Parkinson's disease and six normal subjects. Results-In the MPTP group there was an equal degree of reduction of dopamin ergic function in the caudate and putamen. This was different from the grea ter putaminal than caudate loss in Parkinson's disease (p<0.001). Conclusions-Parkinson's disease is not caused by transient exposure to MPTP .