Neuroscience 2004 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 375.9 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Functional MRI studies of monozygotic twins discordant for Parkinson's disease. |
| Authors: |
Hanlon, C. A.*1,4
; Chen, P. C.2
; Belger, A.4
; McKeown, M. J.3
; Huang, X.2,4
1Dept Neurobiol, Duke Univ, Durham, NC 2NC, Box 3209, 27705, 3USA, Box 3209, 27705, 4Dept Neurol., Box 3209, 27705, |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Neurological and Psychiatric Conditions - Neurodegenerative Disorders -- Parkinson's Disease: Other |
| Secondary Theme and Topics | Motor Systems<br />- Basal Ganglia<br />-- Behavior |
| Session: |
375. Imaging Pathology in Neurodegenerative Disease Slide |
| Presentation Time: | Monday, October 25, 2004 10:00 AM-10:15 AM |
| Location: | San Diego Convention Center - Room 25A |
| Keywords: | fMRI, basal ganglia, dopamine, motor control |
Background: The study of a pair of identical twins, only one of whom had clinical Parkinson s disease (PD), provided an internally-controlled opportunity to assess important function changes related to PD, and the relative responses of the PD after levodopa challenge. This presentation reports the first fMRI study of identical twins discordant for Parkinson’s disease.
Methods: 37-year old monozygotic male twins were initially assessed with neuropsychological and motor function batteries. In this fMRI investigation, both siblings performed a sequential finger tapping task with and without visual feedback of their movement before and after levodopa administration.
Results: The life and past medical histories of the twins were remarkably similar, except that the non-PD twin had migraine headache since age seven. The PD twin had right arm rigidity, bradykinesia, and resting tremor, whereas the non-PD twin showed no signs of PD. The PD twin had motor, mild learning and executive decrements. In the PD twin, levodopa improved rigidity and bradykinesia but did not affect resting tremor. Significant differences in fMRI activation existed in frontal lobe, basal ganglia, cerebellum, and thalamus. These areas appeared to be modulated differentially by levodopa in the PD twin.
Conclusion: This is first report fMRI data from a pair of identical twins discordant for PD. There are significant differences in functional activation throughout the motor systembetween these genetically identical siblings. Longitudinal assessments using traditional, imaging, and neuropsychological parameters of these siblings may provide valuable insight into factors affecting disease progression.
Methods: 37-year old monozygotic male twins were initially assessed with neuropsychological and motor function batteries. In this fMRI investigation, both siblings performed a sequential finger tapping task with and without visual feedback of their movement before and after levodopa administration.
Results: The life and past medical histories of the twins were remarkably similar, except that the non-PD twin had migraine headache since age seven. The PD twin had right arm rigidity, bradykinesia, and resting tremor, whereas the non-PD twin showed no signs of PD. The PD twin had motor, mild learning and executive decrements. In the PD twin, levodopa improved rigidity and bradykinesia but did not affect resting tremor. Significant differences in fMRI activation existed in frontal lobe, basal ganglia, cerebellum, and thalamus. These areas appeared to be modulated differentially by levodopa in the PD twin.
Conclusion: This is first report fMRI data from a pair of identical twins discordant for PD. There are significant differences in functional activation throughout the motor systembetween these genetically identical siblings. Longitudinal assessments using traditional, imaging, and neuropsychological parameters of these siblings may provide valuable insight into factors affecting disease progression.
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2004 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. San Diego, CA: Society for Neuroscience, 2004. Online.
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