Contributions
Abstract: P572
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Neuropsychology
Background: Cognitive impairment (CI) is common in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) with prevalence rates ranging from 40 to 70%. Studies assessing regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and their relationship to neurocognitive findings in MS patients are lacking in the literature.
Objective: To evaluate brain perfusion with 99mTc-HMPAO single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and Brodmann areas mapping in Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) patients using automated software (NeuroGamTM). Moreover, we evaluated brain perfusion in “cognitively impaired” versus “relatively cognitively intact” MS patients and relationships between neuropsychological functions and SPECT perfusion.
Patients and methods: Thirty one RRMS patients with a mean EDSS = 3.65, SD = 0.95, who failed ≥ 1 cognitive tests on a neuropsychological battery were evaluated with 99mTc-HMPAO SPECT. Their performance on brain perfusion was then compared with age and gender matched healthy subjects from the NeuroGam database. Patients were then divided into two groups (“cognitively impaired - CI”, (n =19) i.e failed ≥ 2 cognitive tests or “relatively cognitively intact- RCI” (n=12) i.e failed 1 cognitive test, on the neuropsychological battery, and brain perfusion performance was compared and possible correlations investigated.
Results: We found hypoperfusion for 52% of MS patients in the L frontal lobe, 46 % L parietal lobe, 36% L temporal lobe. In the Brodmann areas (BA) we found hypoperfusion in 77.4% in the L BA 9, 61. 3% L BA 10, 45.2% R BA 12. CI patients had significantly higher hypoperfusion values on the L and R frontal lobes, L temporal and R/L parietal lobes. Significant correlations were found between impaired measures of verbal fluency / executive function and hypoperfusion in the L frontal lobe.
Conclusions: The present study underlines the potential utility of brain perfusion SPECT in assessing neurocognitive impairment in MS and the interrelationship between brain perfusion and neurocognitive function in these patients.
Disclosure:
L. Messinis: There is no potential conflict of interest or anything relevant to this study to disclose
D. Apostolopoulos D: There is no potential conflict of interest or anything relevant to this study to disclose
G. Nasios: Registration to the congress and travel expenses will be covered from Genesis Pharma. This support is not relevant to this study.
S. Tsiouris: There is no potential conflict of interest or anything relevant to this study to disclose
T. Spiridonis: There is no potential conflict of interest or anything relevant to this study to disclose
A. Fotopoulos: There is no potential conflict of interest or anything relevant to this study to disclose
M.H. Kosmidis: There is no potential conflict of interest or anything relevant to this study to disclose
P. Zampakis: There is no potential conflict of interest or anything relevant to this study to disclose
P. Papathanasopoulos: There is no potential conflict of interest or anything relevant to this study to disclose
Abstract: P572
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Neuropsychology
Background: Cognitive impairment (CI) is common in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) with prevalence rates ranging from 40 to 70%. Studies assessing regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and their relationship to neurocognitive findings in MS patients are lacking in the literature.
Objective: To evaluate brain perfusion with 99mTc-HMPAO single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and Brodmann areas mapping in Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) patients using automated software (NeuroGamTM). Moreover, we evaluated brain perfusion in “cognitively impaired” versus “relatively cognitively intact” MS patients and relationships between neuropsychological functions and SPECT perfusion.
Patients and methods: Thirty one RRMS patients with a mean EDSS = 3.65, SD = 0.95, who failed ≥ 1 cognitive tests on a neuropsychological battery were evaluated with 99mTc-HMPAO SPECT. Their performance on brain perfusion was then compared with age and gender matched healthy subjects from the NeuroGam database. Patients were then divided into two groups (“cognitively impaired - CI”, (n =19) i.e failed ≥ 2 cognitive tests or “relatively cognitively intact- RCI” (n=12) i.e failed 1 cognitive test, on the neuropsychological battery, and brain perfusion performance was compared and possible correlations investigated.
Results: We found hypoperfusion for 52% of MS patients in the L frontal lobe, 46 % L parietal lobe, 36% L temporal lobe. In the Brodmann areas (BA) we found hypoperfusion in 77.4% in the L BA 9, 61. 3% L BA 10, 45.2% R BA 12. CI patients had significantly higher hypoperfusion values on the L and R frontal lobes, L temporal and R/L parietal lobes. Significant correlations were found between impaired measures of verbal fluency / executive function and hypoperfusion in the L frontal lobe.
Conclusions: The present study underlines the potential utility of brain perfusion SPECT in assessing neurocognitive impairment in MS and the interrelationship between brain perfusion and neurocognitive function in these patients.
Disclosure:
L. Messinis: There is no potential conflict of interest or anything relevant to this study to disclose
D. Apostolopoulos D: There is no potential conflict of interest or anything relevant to this study to disclose
G. Nasios: Registration to the congress and travel expenses will be covered from Genesis Pharma. This support is not relevant to this study.
S. Tsiouris: There is no potential conflict of interest or anything relevant to this study to disclose
T. Spiridonis: There is no potential conflict of interest or anything relevant to this study to disclose
A. Fotopoulos: There is no potential conflict of interest or anything relevant to this study to disclose
M.H. Kosmidis: There is no potential conflict of interest or anything relevant to this study to disclose
P. Zampakis: There is no potential conflict of interest or anything relevant to this study to disclose
P. Papathanasopoulos: There is no potential conflict of interest or anything relevant to this study to disclose