Performance on neuropsychological tests related to single photon emission computerised tomography findings in frontotemporal dementia.
BACKGROUND
This study examines relations between regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and neuropsychological test results, age at onset and duration of disease in patients with frontotemporal-type dementia (FTD).


METHODS
Sixteen patients with a diagnosis of probable FTD were examined using single photon emission computerised tomography (SPECT) with 99mTc-HMPAO as the tracer. The rCBF of 14 regions of interest relative to cerebellar blood flow was calculated. Psychological tests assessing language, verbal fluency, memory and visuospatial constructive ability were given.


RESULTS
Correlations were demonstrated between a global impairment score and relative blood flow in lateral frontal, medial frontal and left orbital frontal areas. Verbal fluency scores correlated with left lateral frontal, medial frontal and left anterior inferior temporal blood flow. No relationships between decrease in CBF and age at onset or duration of disease, or between impaired cognitive function and age at onset or duration of disease were found.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study demonstrates a close coupling between reduced rCBF and specific neuropsychological deficits in FTD.
Department of Psychogeriatrics, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
C I
CI
Elfgren
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E
Ryding
U
U
Passant
D000368:Aged; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D001931:Brain Mapping; D003704:Dementia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D010091:Oximes; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D019690:Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D010091:Oximes; D019690:Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime