Comparison of diagnostic utility of semi-quantitative analysis for DAT-SPECT for distinguishing DLB from AD.

PURPOSE: It is widely known that there is low striatal 123 I-FP-CIT dopamine transporter single photon emission computed tomography (DAT-SPECT) uptake in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). However, a consistent quantitative evaluation method for DAT-SPECT has not yet been established. There are two semi-quantitative software packages for DAT-SPECT available in Japan, namely, DaTView and DaTQUANT. The aim of this study was to identify which of these is superior for distinguishing DLB from AD. Moreover, we aimed to identify which region of the striatum is more suitable for distinguishing DLB from AD.

METHODS: Patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) (n=95) and patients with DLB (n=133) who underwent DAT-SPECT were enrolled. DaTView and DaTQUANT were used as semi-quantitative analysis tools for DAT-SPECT.

RESULTS: There were significant correlations in DAT uptake between DaTView and entire regions by DaTQUANT. There was no significant difference in diagnostic accuracy between DaTView and DaTQUANT except in the posterior putamen by DaTQUANT.

CONCLUSIONS: For distinguishing DLB from AD, both of DaTView and DaTQUANT software are useful. Moreover, assessing the DAT uptake in entire striatum by DaTView might be sufficient for distinguishing DLB from AD.