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Published on: November 9, 2018
[Quantitative study of brain perfusion patterns of 99mTc-ECD SPECT in children with developmental disabilities]
Keiko Hirano1, Hideo Aiba, Katsuhiko Oguro
1Department of Pediatric Neurology, Shizuoka Children's Hospital, Shizuoka. kooya@mb.infoweb.ne.jp
Insights
Brain perfusion patterns in children with developmental disabilities show delayed maturation. Technetium-99m-ethylcysteinate dimer (99m-Tc-ECD) SPECT reveals these delays, highlighting SPECT as a tool for assessing brain development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuroimaging
- Developmental Neuroscience
Background:
- Assessing brain maturation in children with developmental disabilities is crucial.
- Understanding typical brain perfusion development aids in identifying abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between developmental disabilities and brain perfusion patterns in children.
- To evaluate the utility of brain SPECT in assessing brain maturation in this population.
Main Methods:
- Technetium-99m-ethylcysteinate dimer (99m-Tc-ECD) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was performed on 30 children with neurological disorders.
- The Patlak plot method was used to analyze regional cortical perfusion.
- Brain perfusion patterns were compared between children with and without developmental disabilities.
Main Results:
- In typically developing children, regional cortical perfusion evolved with age, from perirolandic predominance at one month to adult-like patterns by two years.
- Children with developmental disabilities exhibited delayed developmental changes in brain perfusion compared to controls.
- SPECT demonstrated age-related changes in perfusion in normally developing children.
Conclusions:
- Developmental changes in brain perfusion are delayed in children with developmental disabilities.
- Brain SPECT using 99m-Tc-ECD is a valuable tool for assessing brain maturation in children with developmental disabilities.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between developmental disabilities and brain perfusion patterns. We performed technetium-99 m-ethylcysteinate dimer (99m-Tc-ECD) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in 30 children with neurological disorders using the Patlak plot method. In children without developmental disabilities, the distribution of regional cortical perfusion evolved in relation to brain maturation. At one month of age, there was a predominant uptake in the perirolandic cortex. Radionuclide uptake in both the parietal and occipital cortices became evident by three months. Uptake in the temporal and frontal cortex increased by 6 and 11 months, respectively. Brain perfusion showed a pattern similar to that of adults by two years of age at the latest. In children with developmental disabilities, developmental changes of brain perfusion were delayed compared to normally developing children. Brain SPECT is a useful tool to assess the brain maturation in children with developmental disabilities.
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