PET demonstrates reduced dopamine transporter expression in PD with dyskinesias

Abstract

This investigation supports the role of presynaptic alterations in the appearance of dyskinesias. Dopamine (DA) transporter downregulation may minimize symptoms by contributing to increased synaptic DA levels in early Parkinson disease, but at the expense of leading to increased extracellular DA catabolism and oscillating levels of DA. Such oscillations might ultimately facilitate the appearance of dyskinesias.