title: Diffusion tensor tractography and neuropsychological assessment in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Structural imaging of the brain does not demonstrate any changes in a vast majority of patients with vitamin B12 deficiency, even in advanced stages. In this study, we aimed to assess and correlate the functional integrity of the brain fiber tracts using diffusion tensor tractography with neuropsychological examination in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted at two tertiary care centers. Thirty-two patients with vitamin B12 deficiency were enrolled and subjected to diffusion tensor tractography, as an extension of diffusion tensor imaging, and neuropsychological assessment. Tests of significance were done to detect changes, pre- and post-vitamin B12 supplementation in the diffusivity parameters (fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity) and the neuropsychological test scores.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant changes were observed in the diffusivity parameters and the neuropsychological test scores between the controls and the patients with vitamin B12deficiency in the pre- and post-treatment phases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study to evaluate the diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) parameters in the light of clinical neuropsychological assessment in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency. Utilization of DTT parameters may antedate structural changes and may quantify the neurocognitive deficits.
authors: Department of Neurology, King George's Medical University, Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, India, 226003.
authors: Pradeep Kumar
authors: PK
authors: Gupta
authors: Ravindra Kumar
authors: RK
authors: Garg
authors: Rakesh Kumar
authors: RK
authors: Gupta
authors: Hardeep Singh
authors: HS
authors: Malhotra
authors: Vimal Kumar
authors: VK
authors: Paliwal
authors: Ram Kishore Singh
authors: RK
authors: Rathore
authors: Rajesh
authors: R
authors: Verma
authors: Maneesh Kumar
authors: MK
authors: Singh
authors: Yogita
authors: Y
authors: Rai
authors: Chandra Mani
authors: CM
authors: Pandey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000473:pathology; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014805:Vitamin B 12