Corticobasal degeneration: key emerging issues

J Neurol. 2018 Feb;265(2):439-445. doi: 10.1007/s00415-017-8644-3. Epub 2017 Oct 23.

Abstract

Corticobasal degeneration (CBD) was first described by Rebeiz et al. in 1967, and was called corticodentatonigral degeneration with neuronal achromasia [1]. Since then, our knowledge of the clinical features and underlying tau pathology has grown tremendously. Clinical antemortem diagnosis of CBD pathology remains challenging and has led to the development of revised diagnostic criteria. As various clinical phenotypes may have CBD pathology, accurate prevalence studies are lacking. Recently, pooled prevalence of fronto-temporal lobar degeneration, PSP and CBS was reported as 10.6 per 100,000 [2]. Although rare, CBD is an important disease to understand because it provides a model of a specific proteinopathy (tauopathy) and, therefore, opportunity to study pathophysiology of tauopathies and efficacy of tau-directed therapies. In the past few years, identification of tau specific ligands has advanced neuroimaging of tauopathies such as CBD and progressive supranuclear palsy. However, clinical prediction of CBD pathology remains challenging and an active are of research. In this review, we highlight key emerging issues in CBD pathophysiology, genetics and novel neuroimaging techniques with tau ligands.

Keywords: AV-1451; Corticobasal degeneration; Corticobasal syndrome; Tau-PET.

Publication types

  • Historical Article

MeSH terms

  • Aniline Compounds / metabolism
  • Basal Ganglia / pathology*
  • Carbolines / metabolism
  • Cerebral Cortex / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebral Cortex / pathology*
  • Dopamine Agents / therapeutic use
  • History, 20th Century
  • Humans
  • Levodopa / therapeutic use
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / history
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / pathology*
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / therapy
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive / diagnosis
  • Thiazoles / metabolism

Substances

  • 2-(4'-(methylamino)phenyl)-6-hydroxybenzothiazole
  • Aniline Compounds
  • Carbolines
  • Dopamine Agents
  • Thiazoles
  • Levodopa
  • 7-(6-fluoropyridin-3-yl)-5H-pyrido(4,3-b)indole