METHODS FOR DIAGNOSING AND MONITORING TREATMENT OF LEWY BODY DEMENTIA BY ASSESSING DOPAMINE TRANSPORTER LEVEL

摘要

A method of diagnosing Lewy Body Dementia in a human patient by assessing the level of dopamine transporter in at least one region of the patient's central nervous system, where a lowered level of dopamine transporter in the patient is indicative of Lewy Body Dementia. In embodiments of the invention, assessment of dopamine transporter levels includes assessing binding of a dopamine transporter ligand to the dopamine transporters using PET or SPECT.

主权项

1. A method of treating Lewy Body Dementia in a human patient by the steps of:
(a) administering to a patient a labeled dopamine transporter ligand; and (b) assessing the amount of said labeled dopamine transporter ligand that is bound to dopamine transporter in at least one region of said patient's central nervous system, wherein a lowered level of said dopamine transporter in said patient is diagnostic of Lewy Body Dementia, and the step of treating patients diagnosed with Lewy Body Dimentia by administration of a therapeutic amount of tacrine or rivastagmine.