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Fig. 1 | Molecular Neurodegeneration

Fig. 1

From: Translational molecular imaging and drug development in Parkinson’s disease

Fig. 1

Clinical presentation, pathophysiology and diagnostic imaging in Parkinson’s disease (PD). A Cardinal motor symptoms and non-motor features of PD. B Pathological hallmarks of PD include aggregates of misfolded α-synuclein (Lewy bodies), mitochondrial dysfunction & oxidative stress, infiltration of immune cells and persistent activation of microglia, as well as an increased release of cytokines. The pathophysiology of PD prompts neurodegeneration and dopamine deficiency, which is particularly pronounced in the mammalian striatum. C Translational molecular imaging with positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), visualizing striatal degeneration in PD non-invasively. DAT, dopamine transporter.; DDC, DOPA decarboxylase; VMAT2, vesicular monoamine transporter 2. Figure 1C reprinted by permission from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP): Pagano et al., [17] copyright (2016)

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