Zina Z. Rozhkova PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Vladymyr Alekseevich Rogozhyn MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Nikolay Karaban PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Irina N. Karaban PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

We propose the quantitative indicators for the characteristics of the peculiarities of the brain metabolism in patients with PD after single dose (during one week) of STALEVO (Levodopa/Carbidopa/Entacapone (150/50/200)) treatment.

Three groups of patients are studied by 1H MRS with 1.5T Magnetom Vision (SIEMENS). The 1st group (TPG) includes 10 STALEVO-treated subjects with PD. The 2nd group (PG) includes 10 untreated subjects with PD. The 3nd group (VG) consists of 20 healthy volunteers. For all subjects, spectra are recorded in the putamen with STEAM method: TR/TE=1500/135, 155, 175, 200, 270 ms. For subjects of TPG and PG the spectra are obtain in the putamen both ipsilateral and contralateral to the worst affected side.

We found a significant reduction in NAA/Cho ratios from the putamen contralateral to the most affected side in the PG, but not the STALEVO-treated TPG groups compared with VG. There were no significant differences in NAA/Cr or Cho/Cr ratios. In untreated patients, PG reduced putaminal NAA/Cho ratios may reflect loss of nigrostriatal dopamine terminals or alternatively indicate a functional abnormality of striatal putaminal neurons, such as membrane dysfunction due to striatal deafferentation.

This study suggests that NAA/Cho ratios may be affected by STALEVO-therapy and NAA/Cho values may provide an indicator (a reversible marker) of neuronal dysfunction in the striatum. This study gives a new insight into brain biochemistry in patients with PD.

Thie quantitative approach is very helpful for monitoring the efficiency of therapy.

Rozhkova, Z, Rogozhyn, V, Karaban, N, Karaban, I, Quantitative ¹H Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging for Determination of Therapeutic Efficiency in STALEVO-treated Patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD).  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5001404.html