99mTc-Trodat Brain Spect
Dopamine is an important catecholamine neurotransmitter of the Central Nervous System and participates in the regulation of various functions such as motor behavior, affective emotion and in neuroendocrine communication as well. Dopamine is synthesized from the aminoacid L-tirosina having mechanisms that regulate very precisely the synthesis and release.
The functional effects of dopamine are exerted through activation of 5 receptor subtypes, all G protein-coupled (transductor protein between the receptor and effector proteins in the cell) and grouped in two families, D1 (D1 and D5) and D2 (D2, D3, D4). In Parkinson´s Disease (PD), there is a degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and diminution of dopamine concentration and transporters (DAT), which explains the disturbances seen in this condition. In this section of numebook, it will be discussed how brain spect, utilizing a dopamine analog transporter may contribute to the diagnosis and assessment of PD.
References:
Bahena-Trujillo, Ricardo, Flores, Gonzalo,
Arias-Montaño, José A.. Dopamine: synthesis, release and receptors in
the central nervous system. Rev Biomed 2000; 11:39-60.
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