Regional cerebral blood flow and cognitive deficits in chronic lyme disease.
This study examined brain functioning in patients with Lyme encephalopathy. Eleven patients underwent neuropsychological tests and Xenon(133)-regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) studies, using an external detector system. Each rCBF scan was age- and sex-matched to two archival, normal controls. While few differences were noted on gray-matter flow indices (ISI, fg), Lyme patients demonstrated significant flow reductions in white matter index (k(2)) (p=.004), particularly in the posterior temporal and parietal lobes bilaterally (p=.003). Flow reductions in white matter areas were significantly associated with deficits in memory (r=.66, p=.027) and visuospatial organization (r=.62, p=.041). Results suggest that Lyme encephalopathy may be a disease primarily affecting the cerebral white matter.
Fallon
Brian A
BA
The NYS Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York 10032, USA.
Keilp
John
J
Prohovnik
Isak
I
Heertum
Ronald Van
RV
Mann
J John
JJ
D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000098:blood supply*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D014979:Xenon Isotopes / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D014979:Xenon Isotopes