Brain perfusion differences between Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy with predominant parkinsonian features

Background: The patterns of regional cerebral blood flow in Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy remain inconsistent. Objectives: To compare brain perfusion images of I-123-IMP SPECT between Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy with predominant parkinsonian features (MSA-P) and controls. Methods: Eighty-two patients with Parkinson's disease, 10 patients with MSA-P and 14 controls were studied. We performed 3D-SSP and volume of interest analysis using I-123-IMP scintigraphy. Results: Occipital perfusion of MSA-P increased compared to that of Parkinson's disease and perfusion in the cerebellum and primary sensorimotor cortex of Parkinson's disease increased compared to that of MSA-P. Perfusion in the putamen of MSA-P decreased compared to that of Parkinson's disease. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated perfusion differences in I-123-IMP SPECT between the two diseases. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.