[ 123I]FP-CIT SPECT in atypical degenerative parkinsonism

One of the most widely used techniques to support the clinical diagnosis of Parkinsons disease is the SPECT scan with [ ¹²³I]FP-CIT. This tracer binds reversibly and visualizes the striatal presynaptic dopamine transporters. Several uncertainties remain on the value of [ ¹²³I]FP-CIT and SPECT in atypical degenerative parkinsonian syndromes. In this concise review, we discuss the contribution of SPECT and [ ¹²³I]FP-CIT in supporting the clinical diagnosis of Parkinsons disease and their role in the differential diagnosis of Parkinsons disease and atypical degenerative parkinsonism. The chemistry, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of [ ¹²³I]FP-CIT are also discussed.