Using 18F-AV-133 VMAT2 PET Imaging to Monitor Progressive Nigrostriatal Degeneration in Parkinson Disease

Abstract

Background and ObjectivesThere are limited validated biomarkers in Parkinson disease (PD) which substantially hinders the ability to monitor disease progression and consequently measure the efficacy of disease-modifying treatments. Imaging biomarkers, such as vesicular monoamine transporter type 2 (VMAT2) PET, enable enhanced diagnostic accuracy and detect early neurodegenerative changes associated with prodromal PD. This study sought to assess whether 18F-AV-133 VMAT2 PET is sensitive enough to monitor and quantify disease progression over a 2-year window.Methods18F-AV-133 PET scans were performed on participants with PD and REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and neurologic controls (NC). Al..