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European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

Published in:

01-06-2012 | Original Article

¹⁸F-FDG PET uptake in the pre-Huntington disease caudate affects the time-to-onset independently of CAG expansion size

Authors: Andrea Ciarmiello, Giampiero Giovacchini, Sara Orobello, Laura Bruselli, Francesca Elifani, Ferdinando Squitieri

Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging | Issue 6/2012

Abstract

Purpose

To test in a longitudinal follow-up study whether basal glucose metabolism in subjects with a genetic risk of Huntington disease (HD) may influence the onset of manifest symptoms.

Methods

The study group comprised 43 presymptomatic (preHD) subjects carrying the HD mutation. They underwent a ¹⁸F-FDG PET scan and were prospectively followed-up for at least 5 years using the unified HD rating scale to detect clinical changes. Multiple regression analysis included subject’s age, CAG mutation size and glucose uptake as variables in a model to predict age at onset.

Results

Of the 43 preHD subjects who manifested motor symptoms, suggestive of HD, after 5 years from the PET scan, 26 showed a mean brain glucose uptake below the cut-off of 1.0493 in the caudate, significantly lower than the 17 preHD subjects who remained symptom-free (P < 0.0001). This difference was independent of mutation size. Measurement of brain glucose uptake improved the CAG repeat number and age-based model for predicting age at onset by 37 %.

Conclusion

A reduced level of glucose metabolism in the brain caudate may represent a predisposing factor that contributes to the age at onset of HD in preHD subjects, in addition to the mutation size.

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Title: 18F-FDG PET uptake in the pre-Huntington disease caudate affects the time-to-onset independently of CAG expansion size
Authors: Andrea Ciarmiello
Giampiero Giovacchini
Sara Orobello
Laura Bruselli
Francesca Elifani
Ferdinando Squitieri
Publication date: 01-06-2012
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging / Issue 6/2012
Print ISSN: 1619-7070
Electronic ISSN: 1619-7089
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-012-2114-z

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

¹⁸F-FDG PET uptake in the pre-Huntington disease caudate affects the time-to-onset independently of CAG expansion size

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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