Personality correlates of [18F]dopa striatal uptake: results of positron-emission tomography in Parkinson's disease.

Full Abstract

Clinicians have long associated Parkinson's disease (PD) with personality traits such as seriousness and industriousness. In previous studies, patients with PD scored lower than matched orthopedic control subjects on novelty seeking, which is thought to be dopamine dependent. In this pilot study, 6-[18F]fluorodopa ([18F]dopa) uptake in the caudate and putamen was measured by PET in 9 patients with PD. Patients were also rated on three personality traits thought to be related to central monoamine function. Uptake of [18F]dopa in the left caudate, but not in other areas measured, was significantly correlated with novelty seeking. Results suggest that the personality traits long observed in PD patients may be partially mediated by striatal deficits in dopamine.

Author information

Author/s: Menza, M A (MA); Mark, M H (MH); Burn, D J (DJ); Brooks, D J (DJ);

Affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick 08903, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Twin Study

Journal: The Journal of neuropsychiatry and clinical neurosciences (J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci), published in UNITED STATES. (Language: eng)

Reference: 1995-; vol 7 (issue 2) : pp 176-9

Dates: Created 1995/09/07; Completed 1995/09/07; Revised 2004/11/17;

PMID: 7626960, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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