Clinical Applications of [123I]FP-CIT SPECT Imaging

Dopamine transporter (DAT) imaging with [123I]N-ω-fluoropropyl-2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-iodophenyl)nortropane ([123I]FP-CIT) SPECT is commonly used in routine clinical studies to exclude or detect a loss of striatal DATs in individual patients with a movement disorder or dementia. In this chapter, we describe the clinical applications of [123I]FP-CIT SPECT imaging. To facilitate the interpretation of [123I]FP-CIT SPECT images, we first describe the results of [123I]FP-CIT SPECT studies in healthy controls. Thereafter, we describe the typical findings when applying this technique in movement disorders and dementia characterised by loss of striatal DATs (e.g. Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies). We will also describe the possibilities to analyse [123I]FP-CIT SPECT scans in the setting of routine clinical practice. Finally, we briefly discuss the characterisation of extrastriatal [123I]FP-CIT binding and its potential role in future studies.