PET-FDG studies in patients with Huntington's disease typically show low uptake in which areas?

In positron emission tomography (PET) studies using fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in patients with Huntington's disease, low uptake of FDG is characteristically seen in the caudate and putamen regions of the brain. This pattern of reduced metabolic activity correlates with the neurodegenerative processes associated with Huntington's disease, which primarily affect the basal ganglia, particularly these specific structures.

The caudate nucleus and putamen are part of the striatum and play crucial roles in regulating movement and various cognitive functions. In Huntington's disease, the degeneration of neurons in these areas leads to significant functional impairment, which is captured in imaging studies as diminished FDG uptake.

While other regions may show changes in metabolic activity, the distinct and primary impact of Huntington's disease is noted in the caudate and putamen, making this choice the most accurate regarding where PET-FDG studies commonly show low uptake in affected patients.