Patients with schizophrenia and Tourette's disorder are compared to normal controls with respect to the uptake of the dopamine neurotransmitter-dependent tracer 6-18F-DOPA by positron emission tomography (PET). PET allows quantification and localization of tissue radionuclide content with high spatial resolution. 6-18F-DOPA, an analogue of L-DOPA allows in vivo visualization of dopamine and its metabolites in the areas of the brain believed to be involved in schizophrenia and Tourette's disorder. Patients are being studied on and off neuroleptics. The scans are analyzed by comparing regions of interest (ROI), and by utilizing metabolite analysis based on the Patlack model. So far, 14 normal controls, 11 schizophrenic patients and four Tourette's syndrome patients have been studied. Preliminary data show a significant increase in uptake in the schizophrenic group on neuroleptics.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Intramural Research (Z01)
Project #
1Z01MH002597-02
Application #
3781475
Study Section
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1993
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
U.S. National Institute of Mental Health
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
United States
Zip Code