Evaluation of brain perfusion in Alzheimer disease with perfusion computed tomography and comparison to elderly patient without dementia

Abstract

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate perfusion computed tomography (PCT) findings in patients with Alzheimer disease and to compare them with those of patients without dementia.

Materials and methods: PCT was performed in 35 patients: 20 with Alzheimer disease (mean age, 69.7 +/- 5.5 years) and 15 control subjects (mean age, 67.5 +/- 3.5 years). Control subjects were elderly individuals with no cognitive problems who were admitted with headaches. All PCT examinations were performed on a 4-slice CT unit. The PCT analysis software program was used to calculate regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), regional cerebral blood volume (rCBV), regional time-to-peak (rTTP) values in the bilateral frontal, temporal, and occipital cortices, and bilateral lentiform nucleus.

Results: rCBF values in the bilateral frontal and temporal cortices and bilateral lentiform nucleus were significantly lower in the patients with Alzheimer disease than in the control subjects. There were no significant differences in rCBV values between Alzheimer disease and the control group. rTTP values in all cortical areas and bilateral lentiform nucleus were significantly higher in the patients with Alzheimer disease than in the control subjects.

Conclusion: PCT is a rapid and reliable imaging modality for evaluating brain perfusion in Alzheimer disease.