Verbal memory deficits associated with fornix atrophy in carbon monoxide poisoning.
Magnetic resonance (MR) images and neuropsychological testing data of 69 carbon monoxide (CO) poisoned patients were prospectively obtained within 1 day of CO poisoning, two weeks and six months. CO patients' Day 1 cross-sectional fornix surface area measurements, corrected for head size by using a fornix-to-brain ratio (FBR), were compared to normal age and gender-matched controls. Additionally, a within-subjects analysis was performed comparing the mean areas between CO patients' Day 1, 2 weeks and 6-month FBR. The FBR was correlated with patients' neuropsychological data. There were no significant differences between CO patients' Day 1 fornix measurements compared to normal control subjects. However, significant atrophic changes in the fornix of CO poisoned patients occurred at two weeks with no progressive atrophy at 6 months. By 6 months, CO patients showed significant decline on tests of verbal memory (when practice effects were taken into account), whereas visual memory, processing speed and attention/concentration did not decline. This study indicates that CO results in brain damage and cognitive impairments in the absence of lesions and other neuroanatomic markers.
Kesler
S R
SR
Psychology Department, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602, USA.
Hopkins
R O
RO
Weaver
L K
LK
Blatter
D D
DD
Edge-Booth
H
H
Bigler
E D
ED
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000647:Amnesia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001284:Atrophy; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002249:Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020712:Fornix, Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014706:Verbal Learning / Q000502:physiology*