Current studies employing the use of FDOPA PET scanning (FDOPA PET) as a possible method for identifying CBD have focused on analyzing the efficiency of neurons in the striatum that utilize the neurotransmitter dopamine. These studies have concluded that, in general, dopamine uptake was diminished in the caudate and the putamen. This characteristic also has the potential to be useful in distinguishing CBD from the similar PD, as individuals having been diagnosed with PD were more likely to have a lower uptake of dopamine than in individuals with CBD.Other clinical tests or procedures that monitor the presence of dopamine within the brain (β-CIT SPECT and IBZM SPECT) have shown similar findings. β-CIT serves as an indicator for presynaptic dopaminergic neurons, whereas IBZM is a tracer that shows an affinity for the postsynaptic neurons of the same type. Despite agreement with other imaging studies, these two SPECT methods suffer some scrutiny due to better accuracy in other imaging methods. However, β-CIT SPECT has proven to be helpful in distinguishing CBD from PSP and multiple system atrophy (MSA). Corticobasal syndrome
All of the disorders and dysfunctions associated with CBD can often be categorized into a class of symptoms that present with the disease of CBD. These symptoms that aid in clinical diagnosis are collectively referred to as corticobasal syndrome (CBS) or corticobasal degeneration syndrome (CBDS). Alzheimers disease, Picks disease, FTDP-17 and progressive supranuclear palsy can display a corticobasal syndrome.
As a consequence, this is often responsible for the astrocytic plaques prominently noted in histological CBD examinations. Although they are understood to play a significant role in neurodegenerative diseases such as CBD, their precise effect remains a mystery.In recent years Corticobasal Degeneration is seen to be a tauopathy[22]. This is believed due to the most common indicator of CBD being a faulty tau protein. Tau proteins are integral in keeping microtubules stable and these defective cells create 4 microtubule-binding repeats[23]. These 4 binding repeats have increased affinity in binding with microtubules[25]. Because of this increased affinity, they form insoluble fibers (also called "paired helical filaments). Microtubules themselves keep the cell and cytoskeletal structure stable[24]. Thus, when Tau proteins create unnatural configurations, microtubules become unstable, and eventually leads to cell death. Diagnosis
New diagnostic criteria known as the Armstrong criteria were proposed in 2013, although the accuracy of these is limited and further research is needed. Criteria
Insidious onset and gradual progression
Lasts 1 year or more
Meets one of the four subtypes:
Possible CBS
FBS or NAV
PSPS plus at least one CBS feature other than limb rigidity or akinesia
No exclusion criteria present
More likely if onset is after age 50
More likely if no family history (2 or more relatives)
More likely if no genetic mutation affecting T (e.g., MAPT)

Possible corticobasal syndrome subtype
Symptoms may be symmetric or asymmetric.