Correlations between Cognitive Impairment, Middle Cerebral Artery Flow Velocity and Cortical Glucose Metabolism in the Early Phase of Alzheimer’s Disease

• DOI: 10.1159/000106919
• Publication Date: 2007-08-03T10:53:43Z
• Authors: M. Franceschi; M. Alberoni; S. Bressi; N. Canal; G. Comi; F. Fazio; F. Grassi; D. Perani; M.A. Volonté
• Keywords: Transcranial Doppler; Temporal cortex

In a previous transcranial Doppler (TCD) study, we demonstrated decrease in blood flow velocity the proximal tract of middle cerebral artery (MCA) patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). these there was also an asymmetry which positively correlated cognitive often seen early phase AD. this study found correlation between absolute values and indexes MCA adjusted metabolic relative cortical frontotemporoparietal (FTP) areas, evaluated by FDG-PET, neuropsychological indexes. Patients prevalent visuospatial deficits (right hemisphere dysfunction) showed significant decreases right FTP glucose hypometabolism, whereas language (left dysfunction), signs were observed on other side. AD patients, might be due to reduced demands temporoparietal areas primarily affected