[123I]FP-CIT SPECT in atypical degenerative parkinsonism

One of the most widely used techniques to support the clinical diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease is the SPECT scan with [123I]FP-CIT. This tracer binds reversibly and visualizes the striatal presynaptic dopamine transporters. Several uncertainties remain on the value of [123I]FP-CIT and SPECT in atypical degenerative parkinsonian syndromes. In this concise review, we discuss the contribution of SPECT and [123I]FP-CIT in supporting the clinical diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and their role in the differential diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and atypical degenerative parkinsonism. The chemistry, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of [123I]FP-CIT are also discussed.