Publication Date
2014
Journal Title
Neuroscience Bulletin
Abstract
Neuroimaging of cerebral glucose metabolism and blood flow is ideally suited to assay widely-distributed brain circuits as a result of local molecular events and behavioral modulation in the central nervous system. With the progress in novel analytical methodology, this endeavor has succeeded in unraveling the mechanisms underlying a wide spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, statistical brain mapping studies have made significant strides in describing the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD) and related disorders by providing signature biomarkers to determine the systemic abnormalities in brain function and evaluate disease progression, therapeutic responses, and clinical correlates in patients. In this article, we review the relevant clinical applications in patients in relation to healthy volunteers with a focus on the generation of unique spatial covariance patterns associated with the motor and cognitive symptoms underlying PD. These characteristic biomarkers can be potentially used not only to improve patient recruitment but also to predict outcomes in clinical trials.
Volume Number
30
Issue Number
5
Pages
823-837
Document Type
Article
Status
Faculty, Northwell Researcher
Facility
School of Medicine; Northwell Health
Primary Department
Molecular Medicine
Additional Departments
Neurology
PMID
DOI
10.1007/s12264-014-1472-x