[Correlations between brain SPECT and neuropsychology assessments in mild and moderate stages of Alzheimer's disease].
Thirty-four patients with a probable Alzheimer's Disease (AD) (mild AD = 16; moderate AD = 18) and 12 matched controls were evaluated using semiquantitative SPECT-99mTc-HMPAO and neuropsychological tests (CERAD).


RESULTS
Both temporal hypoperfusion (p < 0.01) and memory tests (p < 0.001) made it possible to differentiate the controls from mild AD patients. In these patients, significant correlations (p < 0.05) were also found between: 1) delayed recall test/temporal hypoperfusion, 2) learning memory test/temporoparietal and frontal hypoperfusion and 3) visual constructive praxis/posterior temporal hypoperfusion. In contrast to mild AD, moderate AD patients showed higher temporal (p < 0.01) parietal and frontal (p < 0.05) hypoperfusion along with worsening of praxis (p < 0.001) and memory tests (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
SPECT imaging and neuropsychology evaluation can distinguish controls from AD patients with mild an moderate grades of dementia, showing a strong correlation from the early stages of AD.
Arbizu
J
J
Servicio de Medicina Nuclear, Clínica Universitaria de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, 31008, España.
Larumbe
R
R
Gámez
C
C
Martí
J
J
Martínez-Lage
J
J
Richter
J
J
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019690:Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
D019690:Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime