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Metabolic changes at rest in people with idiopathic Parkinson's disease measured with different functional imaging modalities.

Description

Over the last two decades, it has become increasingly clear that Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with functional impairment of specific neuronal networks. Modern theories of neurodegeneration postulate a network distribution of these changes, which are mainly studied using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In a previous project, we showed that network changes in PD are associated with local, cortical glucose metabolism. The aim of this study is to investigate metabolic interactions between different brain regions using dynamic acquisition techniques of [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ([18F]-FDG-PET). The project will be carried out in collaboration with the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the University Hospital of Marburg.

This methodological approach makes it possible for the first time to investigate the network activity of the brain in the resting state as a function of two parameters: the change in the oxygen saturation of the blood and the change in glucose metabolism. The aim of the project is to better understand the physiological activity of neuronal networks and, in particular, to clarify to what extent a metabolic component underlies the networks detectable by fMRI. In this way, we want to better understand pathophysiological network changes of a metabolic and haemodynamic nature in the context of Parkinson's disease and evaluate fPET-based connectivity for the first time with regard to its suitability as a biomarker or progression marker for Parkinson's disease.

Dr. rer nat Marina Ruppert-Junck, M.Sc.
Dr. Alexander Calvano, Ayse Turan,  Armin Kahn
Telefon: 06421/58 - 65299
Telefax: 06421/58 - 67055
marina.ruppert@*

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