Molecular Imaging of Huntington's Disease

J Cell Physiol. 2017 Aug;232(8):1988-1993. doi: 10.1002/jcp.25666. Epub 2017 Mar 24.

Abstract

The onset and the clinical progression of Huntington Disease (HD) is influenced by several events prompted by a genetic mutation that affects several organs tissues including different regions of the brain. In the last decades years, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) helped to deepen the knowledge of neurodegenerative mechanisms that guide to clinical symptoms. Brain imaging with PET represents a tool to investigate the physiopathology occurring in the brain and it has been used to predict the age of onset of the disease and to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of new drugs. This article reviews the contribution of PET and MRI in the research field on Huntington's disease, focusing in particular on some most relevant achievements that have helped recognize the molecular changes, the clinical symptoms and evolution of the disease. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 1988-1993, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging*
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Genetic Markers
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • Huntingtin Protein / genetics
  • Huntington Disease / diagnostic imaging*
  • Huntington Disease / genetics
  • Huntington Disease / metabolism
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Molecular Imaging / methods*
  • Mutation
  • Phenotype
  • Positron-Emission Tomography*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis

Substances

  • Genetic Markers
  • HTT protein, human
  • Huntingtin Protein