Marta Vidorreta1, Elisa Mengual2,3,
Gonzalo Arrondo1, Mara a Pastor1, Mara a
Fernndez-Seara1
1Functional Neuroimaging
Laboratory, Center for Applied Medical Research (University of Navarra),
Pamplona, Navarra, Spain; 2Neuroanatomy of Basal Ganglia Laboratory,
Center for Applied Medical Research (University of Navarra), Pamplona,
Navarra, Spain; 3Deparment of Anatomy, Medical School, University
of Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
The effects of levodopa therapy were assessed in a group of Parkinsons Disease patients using arterial spin labeling perfusion MRI during rest. Changes in perfusion between patients in their clinical on and off state were evaluated, finding a significant decrease in perfusion after medication intake in SMA and the posterior putamen contralateral to the affected body side, among other areas.These results suggest that levodopa relatively normalizes abnormally high perfusion levels typically observed in PD. A functional connectivity analysis with seed on the putamen showed how abnormal connectivity patterns related to the disease appear to be balanced by the medication.