In:
Journal of Vestibular Research, IOS Press, Vol. 24, No. 5-6 ( 2014-12-17), p. 403-413
Abstract:
Background: Absence of peripheral vestibular input in bilateral vestibular failure (BVF) has been suggested to induce plastic reorganization in various brain regions. Among several neurotransmitters, dopamine is known to play a key role in cortico-striatal-sensorimotor processing. However, the role of dopamine in vestibular plasticity is scantly documented. Objective: Assessment of D 2 / 3 -receptors in patients with BVF. Methods: D 2 / 3 -receptor-PET using [ 18 F]fallypride and MRI examinations were performed in 12 BVF-patients and 13 healthy controls. Results: BVF-patients showed reduced D 2 / 3 -receptor availability (approximately 40%) in the temporo-parieto-occipital cortex bilaterally, including the multisensory vestibular cortex and visual motion-sensitive areas (MT/MST), as well as in the striatum and the right thalamus. Longer illness duration was associated with bilaterally lower D 2 / 3 -receptor availability in the middle/superior temporal gyrus (GTm/s). D 2 / 3 -receptor availability in the right GTm/s and bilateral insula decreased with severity of symptoms. BVF-patients with oscillopsia showed reduced D 2 / 3 -receptor availability in the right MT/MST and midbrain tectum. Conclusions: Reduced D 2 / 3 -receptor availability in multisensory vestibular cortical network areas and basal ganglia may indicate a receptor down-regulation due to the lack of peripheral vestibular input. The more pronounced decline in D 2 / 3 -receptor availability in the multisensory vestibular cortex in patients with prolonged illness suggests the occurrence of progressive changes in dopamine transmission.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1878-6464
,
0957-4271
Language:
Unknown
Publisher:
IOS Press
Publication Date:
2014
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2034037-0
