Parkinson's Disease Evaluated by PET and the Effect of Memantine
Parkinson's Disease Evaluated by PET and the Effect of Memantine
Purpose of study: To investigate whether the NMDA antagonist Memantine has a substantial
 effect of brain metabolism in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), using Positron Emission
 Tomography (PET).

 Background: Disturbances in brain metabolism is thought to contribute to degeneration of
 neurons in brain of PD patients. Production of toxic oxygen radicals and presence of too much
 excitatory neurotransmitter (glutamate) due to over activity is involved. These factors can
 theoretically be alleviated by memantine.

 Hypothesis: Memantine decreases metabolism in areas in PD brain known to be over-active.
 Decreases in cerebral blood flow and oxygen metabolism in these areas will be the consequence
 and this can be detected by PET.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Parkinson's Disease (British Brain Bank Criteria)

 -  Age 50-70y

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Tobacco use

 -  Any serious medical conditions (Heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease,
 endocrinological disorders etc)

 -  Metal implants contraindicating MR scan

 -  Drug use affecting the central nervous system

 -  Psychiatric disorders

 -  Head trauma or any disorders of the head, skull or brain

 -  Drug addiction or use of any kind of illegal substance affecting the central nervous
 system

 -  Pregnancy