CerebralPerfusionin ProgressiveSupranuclear Palsy

Progressivesupranudearpalsy(PSP)is a neurodegenerative disorderin whichstructurallypreservedcerebralcortex is thoughtto befunctionallydisconnectedby subcorticallesions. To assessbrainfunctional activityin patientswith PSP, we measuredregionalcerebral perfusion, as estimated by I1@l] lofetamine (IMP) and single-photonemission computed to mography(SPECT),in 11 patientswith a dinical diagnosisof PSPand10 healthycontrolsubjects.IMP uptakewas meas ured in 2 basalgangliaand 24 cortical regions.Neuropsycho logicaltests were administeredto assess cognitive function. Comparedto age-matchednormal control subjects, relative IMPuptakewassignificantly reducedinPSPpatientsinbasal ganglia(21%),superiorfrontal (25%),anterior parietal(19%), and inferiorfrontal (18%) regions.Cognitiveperformancewas most abnormalon tests thought to be subserved predomi nantlyby frontallobes.Our studydemonstratesthat IMP SPECTdetectsphysiological abnormalities inthe cortexthat parallelbehavioralimpairmentsin PSP. J NuciMed1992;33:704-709