Striatal D2 receptors changes parallel the progression of Parkinson's disease (PD)

To investigate the relationship between D2 receptors changes and disease progression, we used ¹²³I-IBZM SPET to longitudinally assess striatal D2 receptors activity in 13 PD patients who, at baseline study, were in the early drug-naive stage of the disease (mean H-Y score: 1.7±0.6). Follow-up SPET was performed after 3.1±1.3 y (mean H-Y score: 2.1±0.7; mean daily dosage of L-Dopa: 425±136mg). Caudate EBZM uptake at the baseline study showed a significant correlation with the ensuing rate of progression of PD, measured by the H-Y annual score change (r=-0.66, p