7T MRI and PET in Tourette Syndrome: Correlations between subcortical dopamine receptor availability and susceptibility

We present interim results of the first combined 7T MRI and [11C]-SCH23390 PET study in Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS). Dopamine D1-receptor availability is assessed in combination with Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM). Our results indicate reduced iron concentrations in subcortical grey matter of GTS patients compared to age- and sex-matched controls, accompanied by reduced D1-receptor binding potential in several regions. Correlations between local iron distribution and D1-receptor binding potential in basal ganglia support the hypothesis that iron homeostasis might play a significant role in dysregulations of the dopaminergic system that eventually lead to the characteristic symptomatology of GTS.