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Updated: Aug 4, 2026
07:02
Autologous Blood Injection to Model Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Mice
Published on: August 24, 2011
Hypersexuality and hemiballism due to subthalamic infarction
J R Absher1, B A Vogt, D G Clark
1Department of Neurology, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA. jrabsher@bellsouth.net
Summary
A subthalamic infarction led to hypersexuality and hemiballism. Positron emission tomography revealed metabolic changes in brain regions linked to these neurobehavioral symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Relating metabolic changes to neuropsychiatric symptoms is crucial for understanding unique neurobehavioral cases.
- Statistical validation of regional metabolic changes associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms remains challenging.
Observation:
- A 70-year-old man experienced persistent hypersexuality and hemiballism after a subthalamic lacunar infarction.
- Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a 1 cm lacunar infarction in the subthalamic nucleus.
Findings:
- Quantitative fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography identified significant glucose hypometabolism at the infarction site.
- Hypermetabolism was observed in the basal forebrain, temporal lobes, cingulate, medial prefrontal cortices, and striatum, correlating with observed neurobehavioral symptoms.
Implications:
- Single-subject statistical parametric mapping can enhance the understanding of complex neurobehavioral disorders.
- This case highlights the link between specific brain lesions and distinct behavioral alterations.
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