Parkinson's Disease

Abstract

A growing body of evidence supports the importance of functional imaging studies using single-photon emission tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET) in neurology. In particular, Parkinson's disease (PD) and other neurodegenerative disorders are useful disease models to understand the contribution of modern functional neuroimaging techniques. In this chapter, our aim is to address the principles of molecular imaging and also its pitfalls, with a focus on PD motor and nonmotor symptoms. From brain pathology to neurochemical pathology, from clinically unclear cases of parkinsonism to non-dopaminergic ligands and, finally, taking into account experimental tracers, we hope to cover key issues regarding the contribution of SPECT and PET in PD.