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European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

Published in:

01-11-2009 | Original Article

Neuropsychological functions and rCBF SPECT in Parkinson’s disease patients considered candidates for deep brain stimulation

Authors: Anna Paschali, Lambros Messinis, Epameinondas Lyros, Costas Constantoyannis, Zinovia Kefalopoulou, Velissarios Lakiotis, Panagiotis Papathanasopoulos, Paulos Vassilakos

Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging | Issue 11/2009

Abstract

Purpose

In the present study, we examined relationships between neuropsychological functions and brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) observed at presurgical evaluation for deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) in advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients.

Methods

Twenty advanced non-demented PD patients, candidates for DBS surgery, underwent perfusion brain SPECT study and neuropsychological assessment prior to surgery (range: 30–50 days). Patients were further assessed using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) scale. During all assessments patients were “on” standard medication. NeuroGam software, which permits voxel by voxel analysis, was used to compare the brain perfusion of PD patients with a normal database adjusted for sex and age. Neuropsychological scores were compared to age, education and sex-adjusted normative databases.

Results

Our results indicated that the distribution of rCBF showed significant differences when compared to an age- and sex-adjusted normative database. We found impaired blood flow in 17 (85%) of our patients in the left prefrontal lobe, in 14 (70%) in the right prefrontal lobe and in 11 (55%) in the left frontal and right parietal lobes. Neuropsychological testing revealed that 18 (90%) of our patients had significant impairments in measures of executive functions (set-shifting) and 15 (75%) in response inhibition. Furthermore, we found significant correlations between measures of visual attention, executive functions and the right frontal lobe region.

Conclusion

The presence of widespread blood flow reduction was observed mainly in the frontal lobes of dementia-free patients with advanced PD. Furthermore, performance on specific cognitive measures was highly related to perfusion brain SPECT findings.

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Title: Neuropsychological functions and rCBF SPECT in Parkinson’s disease patients considered candidates for deep brain stimulation
Authors: Anna Paschali
Lambros Messinis
Epameinondas Lyros
Costas Constantoyannis
Zinovia Kefalopoulou
Velissarios Lakiotis
Panagiotis Papathanasopoulos
Paulos Vassilakos
Publication date: 01-11-2009
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging / Issue 11/2009
Print ISSN: 1619-7070
Electronic ISSN: 1619-7089
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-009-1168-z

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Neuropsychological functions and rCBF SPECT in Parkinson’s disease patients considered candidates for deep brain stimulation

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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