Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Dopamine Transporter Asymmetry in Early Parkinson's Disease
Kirsi Murtomäki, Tuomas Mertsalmi, Elina Jaakkola, Elina Mäkinen, Reeta Levo, Tanja Nojonen, Mikael Eklund, Simo Nuuttila, Kari Lindholm, Eero Pekkonen, Juho Joutsa, Tommi Noponen, Toni Ihalainen, Valtteri Kaasinen, Filip Scheperjans
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The neurophysiological correlates of gastrointestinal symptoms (GISs) in Parkinson's disease (PD) are not well understood. It has been proposed that in patients with a gastrointestinal origin of PD dopaminergic neurodegeneration would be more symmetric. OBJECTIVES: The aim is to assess the associations between GISs and asymmetry of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurodegeneration in PD. METHODS: I-FP-CIT SPECT. We calculated the asymmetry index and the predominant side of motor symptoms and dopamine transporter (DAT) imaging defect and assessed their association with GISs. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in GISs between symmetric and asymmetric dopaminergic defect. Left predominant defect was related to more GIS and higher constipation scores. CONCLUSIONS: GISs were associated with left predominant reduction in putaminal DAT binding but not asymmetry per se. It remains open whether left-sided DAT deficit is related to more pronounced GI involvement or symptom perception in PD. © 2022 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson Movement Disorder Society.