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Left frontotemporal hypoperfusion is associated with aggression in patients with dementia
N Hirono1, M S Mega, I D Dinov
1Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Hyogo Institute for Aging Brain and Cognitive Disorders, 520 Saisho-ko, Himeji 670-0981, Japan. hirono@hiabcd.go.jp
Archives of Neurology
|June 27, 2000
Summary
Aggressive behavior in dementia patients is linked to reduced blood flow in specific brain regions. This study found decreased perfusion in the left anterior temporal cortex in aggressive dementia patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Geriatric Psychiatry
Background:
- Aggressive behavior is a frequent symptom in dementia patients.
- While temporolimbic and prefrontal lesions are known to cause pathological aggression, their role in dementia-related aggression is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between regional brain perfusion and aggressive behavior in individuals with dementia.
Main Methods:
- Compared regional cerebral perfusion using technetium Tc 99m-labeled hexamethylpropelene amineoxime single photon emission computed tomography.
- Studied two groups of 10 dementia patients: one with aggression and one without.
- Ensured groups were comparable in demographics, cognitive impairment severity, and other behavioral symptoms (Neuropsychiatric Inventory).
Main Results:
- Patients exhibiting aggression showed significant hypoperfusion in the left anterior temporal cortex (P<.001).
- Significant hypoperfusion was also observed in bilateral dorsofrontal and right parietal cortical areas.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest a significant association between aggression in dementia and reduced perfusion in the left anterior temporal cortex.