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The typical signs of SNP may take some years to develop in some patients. Therefore, during the first few years, there is diagnostic dilemma in a small percentage of patients (i.e. SNP versus Parkinson's disease). In such cases, PET scan is useful. It is important to be certain of the diagnosis during the early stage of these disorders. There are differences in the treatment and prognosis. Compared with Parkinson's disease, SNP (and other parkinsonism-plus syndromes) do not respond so well to treatment and also progress much more rapidly. I think it is good to be certain of the diagnosis right from the beginning because it helps to mentally prepare patients / family for the two totally different course of illness. NK Chew > Date: Tue, 12 Jan 2010 05:57:33 -0500 > From: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: PET tests can help diagnose Parkinson's disease, new study concludes > To: [log in to unmask] > > Honestly, this sounds like somebody trying to sell PET scans to me. My > friend's husband has supranuclear palsy, my dad and grandfather have PD > and there is no way one could confuse the two. SNP has very clear > symptoms not present in PD (I can't remember, but one issue is with the > eyes and the type of falling/lost of balance is totally different). Plus > what are the advantages of this early dx? > > Kathy T. > > mschild wrote: > > According to a recent study, brains scans using positron emission tomography > > (PET) technology can help diagnose with high accuracy which type of > > Parkinson's-related disease a person has. > > > > The study found that PET scans allowed doctors to identify whether a patient > > had idiopathic Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy or progressive > > supranuclear palsy, three variations of Parkinson's disease. > > > > Researchers believe that early diagnosis is essential in recommending the > > appropriate treatment and placing patients in the proper drug trials, > > according to Medical News Today. > > > > "Automated image-based classification has high specificity in distinguishing > > between Parkinsonism disorders and could help in selecting treatment for early > > stage patients and identifying participants for clinical trials," said the > > authors of the study. > > > > Parkinson's disease expert Angelo Antonini added, "The clinical and research > > relevance of these findings should not be underestimated. Neuroprotective and > > disease-modifying drug research is intensifying and results mostly rely on > > accurate early diagnosis." > > > > The next step for researchers is to conduct blinded imaging studies to a > > larger validation group in order to establish the accuracy of the procedure. > > > > http://www.privatemdlabs.com/news/General_Health/PET-tests-can-help-diagnose- > > Parkinsons-disease--new-study-concludes-$19551477.php > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn _________________________________________________________________ New Windows 7: Find the right PC for you. Learn more. http://windows.microsoft.com/shop ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn