PMID: 15235059Jul 6, 2004Paper

A technique for standardized central analysis of 6-(18)F-fluoro-L-DOPA PET data from a multicenter study

Journal of Nuclear Medicine : Official Publication, Society of Nuclear Medicine
Alan L WhoneDavid J Brooks

Abstract

We have recently completed a large 6-(18)F-fluoro-L-DOPA ((18)F-DOPA) PET study comparing rates of loss of dopamine terminal function in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients taking either the dopamine agonist ropinirole or L-DOPA. This trial involved a "distributed acquisition/centralized analysis" method, in which (18)F-DOPA images were acquired at 6 different PET centers around the world and then analyzed at a single site. To our knowledge, this is the first time such a centralized approach has been employed with (18)F-DOPA PET and this descriptive basic science article outlines the methods used. One hundred eighty-six PD patients were randomized (1:1) to ropinirole or L-DOPA therapy, and (18)F-DOPA PET was performed at baseline and again at 2 y. The primary outcome measure was the percentage change in putamen (18)F-DOPA influx rate constant (K(i)) from Patlak graphical analysis. Dynamic images were acquired and reconstructed using each center's individual protocols before being transferred to the site performing the central analysis. Once there, individual parametric K(i) images were created using a single analysis program without file formats being transformed from the original. Parametric images were then normalized to standa...Continue Reading

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