Reduced cerebral glucose metabolism in subjects with incidental hyperintensities on magnetic resonance imaging.
OBJECTIVE
To clarify the significance of incidental and asymptomatic hyperintensities on T(2)-weighted magnetic resonance images (MRI) in adults, we examined the relationship between a variety of these lesions and cerebral metabolism evaluated by positron emission tomography (PET) with (18)F-labeled fluorodeoxyglucose ([(18)F]FDG).


METHODS
Two hundred and thirty-one persons with hyperintensities on T(2)-weighted MRI but without overt neurological disease (mean age 60+/-9 years) were studied. MR hyperintensities were classified into deep and/or subcortical white matter hyperintensities (DSWMHs), periventricular hyperintensities (PVHs) and hyperintensities in the basal ganglia and/or thalamus (HBGTs). The relationship between these lesions and cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (CMRgl) measured by [(18)F]FDG-PET was investigated.


RESULTS
The CMRgl values in white matter and cerebral cortex in the group with severe PVHs were lower than those in the group with mild PVHs (P<0.0001 and P<0.005). Although the severity of PVHs was associated with the numbers of DSWMHs and HBGTs, the results of multivariate analysis showed a significant relationship of PVHs to glucose metabolism in cerebral cortex and white matter.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that increasing severity of MRI hyperintensities in adults is associated with a deterioration of cerebral metabolism. In particular, involvement of PVHs may be a marker of widespread deterioration of cortical metabolism.
Takahashi
W
W
Department of Neurology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Bohseidai, Isehara, 259-1143, Kanagawa, Japan.
Takagi
S
S
Ide
M
M
Shohtsu
A
A
Shinohara
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed
D001786:Blood Glucose; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18