Reversible Alcohol-related Dementia: A Five-year Follow-up Study Using FDG-PET and Neuropsychological Tests

• Asada Tomohiko

  Human Brain Research Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine

• Takaya Shigetoshi

  Human Brain Research Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine Radioisotope Research Center, Kyoto University

• Takayama Yoshihiro

  Department of Speech Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo

• Yamauchi Hiroshi

  Human Brain Research Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine

• Hashikawa Kazuo

  Human Brain Research Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine National Hospital Organization, Osaka Minami Medical Center

• Fukuyama Hidenao

  Human Brain Research Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine

Abstract

Objective As the pathophysiology of alcohol-related dementia (ARD) is unclear, we examined a patient with reversible ARD using neuropsychological tests and ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET).<br> Methods Design: A five-year follow-up case study with neuropsychological tests and FDG-PET. Setting: Kyoto University Hospital.<br> Patients A 42-year-old patient who was unable to perform his office duties because of slowly progressive amnesia with executive dysfunction.<br> Results The initial evaluation with neuropsychological tests showed severe verbal memory disturbance. The patient did not discuss his excessive alcohol consumption in the initial history-taking session and thiamine deficiency was absent; therefore, early-stage Alzheimer's disease was suspected. Later, the patient revealed prior excessive alcohol intake and his cognitive function improved markedly after a period of abstinence. Retrospective analysis of initial FDG-PET images using a voxel-wise statistical method revealed glucose hypometabolism in the diencephalon and basal forebrain. Follow-up for 5 years after the initial evaluation showed improved cognitive function and recovery of glucose metabolism in the two brain regions.<br> Conclusion Hypofunction in the diencephalon and basal forebrain was associated with cognitive decline in our patient. This case may provide evidence for the etiopathic brain regions in reversible type ARD.<br>

Journal

• Internal Medicine

  Internal Medicine 49 (4), 283-287, 2010

  The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine

Keywords

• alchohol related dementia
• Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
• FDG-PET
• Alzheimer disease
• diencephalon
• basal forebrain

Details

• CRID: 1390001204873239552
• NII Article ID: 130000152610
• DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.49.2662
• ISSN: 13497235
• ISSN: 09182918
• Web Site: http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/internalmedicine/49/4/49_4_283/_pdf
• Web Site: https://search.jamas.or.jp/link/ui/2010222776
• Text Lang: en
• Data Source:
  • JaLC
  • Crossref
  • CiNii Articles
• Abstract License Flag: Disallowed