Eating Disorders in Frontotemporal Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease: Evaluation of Brain Perfusion Correlates Using 99mTc-HMPAO SPECT with Brodmann Areas Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Varvara Valotassiou ◽  
Nikolaos Sifakis ◽  
Chara Tzavara ◽  
Evi Lykou ◽  
Niki Tsinia ◽  
...  

Background: Eating disorders (ED) in dementia represent a significant impairment affecting patients’ and caregivers’ lives. In frontotemporal dementia (FTD), ED include overeating, sweet food preference hyperorality, stereotypical eating, and hyperorality, while in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), anorexia and appetite loss are the most common ED. Objective: The aim of our study was to highlight Brodmann areas (BAs) implicated specifically in the appearance of ED in FTD and AD. Methods: We studied 141 patients, 75 with FTD and 66 with AD. We used the NeuroGamTM software on the reconstructed single photon emission computed tomography-SPECT data for the automated comparison of BAs perfusion on the left (L) and right (R) hemisphere with perfusion in corresponding BAs of a normal database. Results: The FTD group included 27 men and 48 women, age (mean±SD) 65.8±8.5 years, duration of disease 3.4±3.3 years, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) 17.9±8.6, ED score on Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) 4.7±8.5. ED in FTD were correlated with hypoperfusion in right anterior and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices (BAs 10R, 46R), left orbitofrontal cortex (BA 12L), orbital part of the right inferior frontal gyrus (BA 47R), and left parahippocampal gyrus (BA 36L). The AD group included 21 men and 45 women, age (mean±SD) 70.2±8.0 years, duration of disease 3.3±2.4 years, MMSE 20.2±6, ED-NPI score 2.7±3.9. ED in AD were correlated with hypoperfusion in left inferior temporal cortex (BA 20L). Conclusion: SPECT imaging with automated mapping of brain cortex could contribute to the understanding of the neural networks involved in the manifestation of ED in dementia.


2020 ◽  
pp. 028418512094026
Author(s):  
In-Uk Song ◽  
Jooyeon Jamie Im ◽  
Hyeonseok Jeong ◽  
Seung-Hee Na ◽  
Yong-An Chung

Background The current lack of effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and the rapidly increasing burden of the disease highlight the urgent need to find new treatments. Despite accumulating evidence of the beneficial effects of rasagiline in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, the effects of rasagiline on the brains of patients with AD have not been elucidated. Purpose To examine the effects of rasagiline on regional cerebral flow (rCBF) in patients with AD using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Material and Methods Among 22 patients with AD, 11 patients received adjunctive rasagiline at 1 mg/day in conjunction with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI); 11 patients were only treated with AChEI for about 1.6 years. All patients underwent brain technetium-99m hexamethylpropylene amine oxime SPECT scans and clinical assessments at baseline and follow-up visits. Annual percent changes in rCBF were compared between the groups in a voxel-wise manner. Results SPECT analysis revealed that the rasagiline-treated group showed more increased rCBF in the cingulate gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, putamen, and thalamus compared to the comparison group ( P < 0.005). Conclusion We demonstrated that adjunctive rasagiline treatment may have beneficial effects on brain perfusion in patients with AD, suggesting potential neuroprotective effects.



2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A. Meyer ◽  
Stephen A. Hudock

Posterior cortical atrophy is a rare condition first described in 1988 involving progressive degeneration and atrophy of the occipital cortex, often recognized after an unexplained homonymous hemianopsia may be discovered. We report a case in association with Alzheimer’s disease in a 77-year-old female, who underwent brain single-photon emission computed tomography as well brain positron emission tomography using Florbetapir to further evaluate progressive cognitive decline. The patient had also been followed in Ophthalmology for glaucoma, where a progressive unexplained change in her visual field maps were noted over one year consistent with a progressive right homonymous hemianopsia. This rare combination of findings in association with her dementia led to a detailed review of all her imaging studies, concluding with the surprising recognition for a clear hemi-atrophy of the primary left occipital cortex was occurring, consistent with Alzheimer’s disease affecting the primary visual cortex. Further awareness of this disease pattern is needed, as Alzheimer’s disease typically does not affect the primary visual cortex; other conditions to consider in general include Lewy Body dementia, cortico-basal degeneration and prion disease.



1997 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 154-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario F. Mendez ◽  
Kent M. Perryman ◽  
Bruce L. Miller ◽  
J. Randolph Swartz ◽  
Jeffrey L. Cummings

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a common neurodegenerative dementia syndrome. Compulsive behaviors frequently occur in FTD and may be presenting symptoms of this disorder. This study evaluated compulsive behaviors as presenting symptoms in 29 patients with FTD compared to 48 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) enrolled in the UCLA Alzheimer's Disease Center. The FTD patients met the Lund and Manchester criteria for FTD and had predominant frontal hypoperfusion on single-photon emission computer tomography neuroimaging. The AD patients met National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders-Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders criteria for clinically probable AD. Compulsive behaviors occurred in 11 FTD patients (38%) versus 5 AD patients (10%) (χ2 = 6.73, P < .01). This difference persisted after controlling for the younger age of the FTD group. There was a range of compulsive behaviors, with the most frequent being repetitive checking activities. Compulsive behaviors are common presenting symptoms among FTD patients and may result from an inability to inhibit urges to perform compulsive movements from damage to frontal-striatal circuits.



2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Tomohiko Sato ◽  
Haruo Hanyu ◽  
Yumi Koyama ◽  
Haruka Horita ◽  
Toshinori Aoki ◽  
...  

Background: In Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients, the severity of cognitive impairment is thought to correlate with the degree of brain imaging abnormalities. However, some patients show only mild cognitive deficit, despite severe brain atrophy on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or marked hypoperfusion in the cerebral cortices on single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). This suggests that cognitive reserve (CR) can compensate for the clinical manifestations of AD in patients with extensive brain pathology. Objective: We aimed to determine whether this discrepancy between cognitive and imaging findings is associated with CR. Methods: Factors associated with the discrepancy between the degree of cognitive impairment and MRI (medial temporal lobe atrophy) and SPECT (posterior cerebral hypoperfusion) findings were analyzed in 135 patients with probable AD. Factors as proxies for CR included education, occupation, leisure activity, comorbidities, frailty, and other demographics. The discrepancy index (DI) was calculated as the difference between the degree of imaging abnormalities and the degree of cognitive dysfunction. Results: Multiple regression analysis showed that leisure activity and education were significantly associated with the discrepancy between cognitive and imaging findings. When the level of CR was determined based on leisure activity and education, the high-CR group showed a significantly larger DI than the moderate- and low-CR groups. Conclusion: The discrepancy between cognitive and imaging findings in patients with AD is associated with CR, measured using a combination of two indicators, i.e., leisure activity and education. Therefore, lifestyle interventions may delay the appearance of clinical symptoms resulting from underlying AD pathology, by increasing CR.



2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Gustavsson ◽  
Stina Syvänen ◽  
Paul O’Callaghan ◽  
Dag Sehlin

Abstract Background Alzheimer’s disease (AD) immunotherapy with antibodies targeting amyloid-β (Aβ) has been extensively explored in clinical trials. The aim of this study was to study the long-term brain distribution of two radiolabeled monoclonal Aβ antibody variants – RmAb158, the recombinant murine version of BAN2401, which has recently demonstrated amyloid removal and reduced cognitive decline in AD patients, and the bispecific RmAb158-scFv8D3, which has been engineered for enhanced brain uptake via transferrin receptor-mediated transcytosis. Methods A single intravenous injection of iodine-125 (125I)-labeled RmAb158-scFv8D3 or RmAb158 was administered to AD transgenic mice (tg-ArcSwe). In vivo single-photon emission computed tomography was used to investigate brain retention and intrabrain distribution of the antibodies over a period of 4 weeks. Activity in blood and brain tissue was measured ex vivo and autoradiography was performed in combination with Aβ and CD31 immunostaining to investigate the intrabrain distribution of the antibodies and their interactions with Aβ. Results Despite faster blood clearance, [125I]RmAb158-scFv8D3 displayed higher brain exposure than [125I]RmAb158 throughout the study. The brain distribution of [125I]RmAb158-scFv8D3 was more uniform and coincided with parenchymal Aβ pathology, while [125I]RmAb158 displayed a more scattered distribution pattern and accumulated in central parts of the brain at later times. Ex vivo autoradiography indicated greater vascular escape and parenchymal Aβ interactions for [125I]RmAb158-scFv8D3, whereas [125I]RmAb158 displayed retention and Aβ interactions in lateral ventricles. Conclusions The high brain uptake and uniform intrabrain distribution of RmAb158-scFv8D3 highlight the benefits of receptor-mediated transcytosis for antibody-based brain imaging. Moreover, it suggests that the alternative transport route of the bispecific antibody contributes to improved efficacy of brain-directed immunotherapy.



2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teruyuki Matsuoka ◽  
Jin Narumoto ◽  
Keisuke Shibata ◽  
Aiko Okamura ◽  
Shogo Taniguchi ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of toki-shakuyaku-san (TSS) on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). All subjects were administered TSS (7.5 g/day) for eight weeks. SPECT and evaluations using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Neuropsychiatric Inventory, and Physical Self-Maintenance Scale were performed before and after treatment with TSS. Three patients with MCI and five patients with AD completed the study. No adverse events occurred during the study period. After treatment with TSS, regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the posterior cingulate was significantly higher than that before treatment. No brain region showed a significant decrease in rCBF. TSS treatment also tended to improve the score for orientation to place on the MMSE. These results suggest that TSS could be useful for treatment of MCI and AD.



2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hidetoshi Watari ◽  
Yutaka Shimada ◽  
Mie Matsui ◽  
Chihiro Tohda

Background and Aims. We previously reported that the administration of traditional Japanese medicines, kihito (Gui-Pi-Tang in Chinese) and kamikihito (Jia-Wei-Gui-Pi-Tang in Chinese), to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) model mice improved memory impairment. There are a few reports that show kihito and kamikihito have a beneficial effect on the cognitive function of AD patients in clinical studies. However, these studies are not comparative and are retrospective studies; thus, more evidence is needed. Therefore, we conducted an open-label, crossover designed clinical trial to investigate the effect of kihito on cognitive function of AD patients. Methods. The inclusion criteria for eligible patients were as follows: (1) imaging diagnosis (magnetic resonance imaging and single-photon emission computed tomography) of AD, (2) a treatment regimen including acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs), and (3) a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥15. The exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) change in ChEI dosage, (2) memantine usage, and (3) MMSE score < 15. To prevent bias in age and baseline cognitive function, patients were divided into two groups: the first group received 2.5 g of kihito extract 3 times/day during the first half of the study (weeks 0-16) and the second group received the same dose of kihito during the second half of the study (weeks 17-32). ChEI dosage did not change during the study period. Patients underwent a cognitive function test during weeks 0, 16, and 32. Cognitive function was evaluated by Japanese versions of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-J) and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS-J) test. Results. Ten patients completed the clinical trial (4 males, 6 females, average age 71.7 years). MMSE-J scores significantly increased during the kihito intake period. RBANS-J test scores had a slight improvement during the kihito intake period compared with the ChEI alone treatment period, but no significant changes were observed. Conclusion. Kihito improves cognitive function in AD patients.



2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 314-321
Author(s):  
Miwako Takahashi ◽  
Tomoko Tada ◽  
Tomomi Nakamura ◽  
Keitaro Koyama ◽  
Toshimitsu Momose

This study aimed to assess efficacy and limitations of regional cerebral blood flow imaging using single-photon emission computed tomography (rCBF-SPECT) in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with amyloid-positron emission tomography (amyloid-PET). Thirteen patients, who underwent both rCBF-SPECT and amyloid-PET after clinical diagnosis of AD or mild cognitive impairment, were retrospectively identified. The rCBF-SPECTs were classified into 4 grades, from typical AD pattern to no AD pattern of hypoperfusion; amyloid-beta (Aβ) positivity was assessed by amyloid-PET. Four patients were categorized into a typical AD pattern on rCBF-SPECT, and all were Aβ+. The other 9 patients did not exhibit a typical AD pattern; however, 4 were Aβ+. The Mini-Mental State Examination score and Clinical Dementia Rating scale were not significantly different between Aβ+ and Aβ– patients. A typical AD pattern on rCBF-SPECT can reflect Aβ+; however, if not, rCBF-SPECT has a limitation to predict amyloid pathology.



1988 ◽  
Vol 8 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. S123-S126 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. J. Testa ◽  
J. S. Snowden ◽  
D. Neary ◽  
R. A. Shields ◽  
A. W. I. Burjan ◽  
...  

The clinical value of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in the differential diagnosis of dementia due to cerebral atrophy was evaluated by comparing the pattern of distribution [99mTc]–HM-PAO in three dementing conditions. Imaging was carried out in 26 patients with suspected Alzheimer's disease, 14 with dementia of the frontal-lobe type, and 13 with progressive supranuclear palsy. Images were evaluated and reported without knowledge of clinical diagnosis with respect to regions of reduced uptake of tracer. Reduced uptake in the posterior cerebral hemispheres was characteristic of Alzheimer's disease, while selective anterior hemisphere abnormalities characterized both dementia of the frontal-lobe type and progressive supranuclear palsy. The latter conditions could be distinguished on the basis of the appearance of integrity of the rim of the frontal cortex. The technique has an important role in the differentiation of degenerative dementias.



2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 360-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megumi Haji ◽  
Noriyuki Kimura ◽  
Takuya Hanaoka ◽  
Yasuhiro Aso ◽  
Makoto Takemaru ◽  
...  

Background: This study examined regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients with and without subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH). Methods: Eleven AD patients with SCH and 141 AD patients without SCH underwent brain perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The SPECT data were analyzed by statistical parametric mapping (SPM8) and FineSRT. Results: AD patients with SCH showed a significantly decreased rCBF mainly in the temporal lobe and thalamus, whereas those without SCH showed a significantly decreased rCBF in the parietotemporal lobe and cingulate gyrus as well as the frontal lobe. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that SCH may affect cerebral perfusion in regions associated with the memory function.



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