Relative hyperperfusion by SPECT in a family with a presenilin 1 (T245P) mutation

Abstract

Clinical characteristics of autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease often differ clinically from sporadic disease with the onset of seizures, spasticity and myoclonus early in the disease course. Similarly imaging characteristics may also differ. We report the findings of relative hyperperfusion by Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT in the medial orbitofrontal cortex and anterior temporal lobe in four affected family members carrying a presenilin 1 mutation. SPECT of the four individuals was compared to an age-matched normal database. We speculate that the findings of relative medial orbitofrontal and anterior temporal lobe hyperperfusion may be a marker of early onset Alzheimer's disease in this family.

Keywords:

• Familial Alzheimer's disease
• Presenilin 1
• Neuroimaging
• Orbitofrontal cortex
• SPECT
• Neuropsychological testing
• Amnestic memory deficit
• Altruism
• Anterior temporal lobe

This study was sponsored by in part a Pilot Research Grant from the Society of Nuclear Medicine and the Harbor UCLA General Clinical Research Center.