New Agent For Monitoring Brain Tissue in Parkinson's Disease Patients
Developed
WESTPORT, Jun 11 (Reuters) - A new agent containing a radioactive
isotope will soon make it possible for physicians with access to nuclear
medicine facilities to monitor the effectiveness of treatment in patients
with Parkinson's disease.
The agent, called iodoaltropane, reveals areas of deterioration of
brain tissue. Agents currently available for this purpose can only be used
in conjunction with positron emission tomography (PET) scanners, which are
available at a few centers.
Iodoaltropane was developed by Dr. Robert Hanson of Northeastern University
and Dr. Alan Fischman of Massachusetts General Hospital.
Clinical trials with iodoaltropane are underway. "This is the first
agent that would be a very good indicator for the assessment of treatment
in patients with movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease," Dr.
Fischman said. "No other compound offers its flexibility and is as
accessible to the general population."
Because the compound is a radioactive analog of cocaine, it may also be
useful in monitoring withdrawal in cocaine addicts as part of a
rehabilitation program.
- Westport Newsroom 203 221 7648
