Progressive loss of cardiac sympathetic innervation in Parkinson's disease

Ann Neurol. 2002 Aug;52(2):220-3. doi: 10.1002/ana.10236.

Abstract

This study addressed whether cardiac sympathetic denervation progresses over time in Parkinson's disease. In 9 patients without orthostatic hypotension, 6-[(18)F]fluorodopamine positron emission tomography scanning was repeated after a mean of 2 years from the first scan. 6-[(18)F]fluorodopamine-derived radioactivity was less in the second scan than in the first scan, by 31% in the left ventricular free wall and 16% in the septum. In Parkinson's disease, loss of cardiac sympathetic denervation progresses in a pattern of loss suggesting a dying-back mechanism.

MeSH terms

  • Disease Progression
  • Dopamine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Fluorine Radioisotopes
  • Heart Conduction System / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Hypotension, Orthostatic / complications
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / complications
  • Parkinson Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Parkinson Disease / physiopathology*
  • Sympathetic Nervous System / physiopathology*
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed

Substances

  • Fluorine Radioisotopes
  • 6-fluorodopamine
  • Dopamine