Correlation analysis between 3D and plane DAT binding parameters of 11C-CFT PET/CT and the clinical characteristics of patients with Parkinson's disease

Abstract

Abstract Background: To explore the correlation between dopamine transporter (DAT) PET/CT and the clinical characteristics and the scales of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients, furthermore explore the scientificity and feasibility of incorporating 3D-dopaminergic binding parameters into the clinical scoring system for PD. Methods: A total of 75 patients with PD were retrospectively included. The clinical characteristics (including age, gender, disease duration), modified Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) grading, UPDRS (the unified Parkinson's disease rating scale) II & III and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) of PD patients in corresponding time periods were obtained. DAT binding parameters and their derived parameters based on plane and 3D images in neostriatum were analyzed for the consistency of plane and 3D parameters, and the correlation between the above parameters and the clinical characteristics of patients. Results: The DAT binding parameters based on 3D images had good consistency with the plane parameters (p<0.05). The asymmetry index (AI) of DAT binding parameters based on 3D and plane images had good consistency in anterior putamen (p<0.05). The plane parameters of anterior and posterior putamen were correlated with the UPDRS II-III score and H-Y score of PD patients (p<0.05), the parameter in caudate nucleus was only correlated with UPDRS II and MMSE. The 3D parameters in neostriatum showed good statistical correlation with the disease duration, UPDRS II-III score, H-Y score, H-Y course of PD patients (p<0.05), and the AI was significantly correlated with MMSE (p<0.05). The 3D parameters in putamen and posterior putamen had good statistical correlation with the UPDRS II-III score, H-Y score and H-Y course of PD patients (p<0.05). The AI in the putamen showed statistical correlation with the UPDRS III score and MMSE. The AI in posterior putamen showed statistical correlation with the UPDRS II score (p<0.05). Conclusions: The quantitative parameters based on plane and 3D images of 11C-CFT PET/CT had good consistency, and 3D parameters in neostriatum had a better correlation with the activities of daily living, UPDRS motor score, the severity and duration of disease and cognition than plane parameters in PD patients.