OBJECTIVE: The authors examined whether subjects with Tourette's
disorder have greater than normal striatal dopamine transporter densities,
as suggested by previous post-mortem findings. METHOD: Single photon
emission computed tomography (SPECT) and [123I]2 beta- carbomethoxy-3
beta-(4-iodophenyl)tropane ([123I]beta-CIT) were used to assess dopamine
transporter levels in five adult patients with Tourette's disorder and five
age- and gender-matched healthy comparison subjects. RESULTS: Striatal
[123I]beta-CIT binding was a mean of 37% (range = 6%-79%) higher in the
subjects with Tourette's disorder than in the comparison subjects, and each
Tourette's disorder patient had a higher level than his or her paired
comparison subject. CONCLUSIONS: These findings corroborate post-mortem
results and support the hypothesis of a dysregulation in presynaptic
dopamine function in Tourette's disorder.Abstract Teaser