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Semi-quantitative Assessment Using [18F]FDG Tracer in Patients with Severe Brain Injury
Published on: November 9, 2018
Cerebellar and thalamic metabolic changes visualized by [18]-FDG-PET in olanzapine-induced acute akathisia
Michael Landgrebe1, Jörg Marienhagen, Berthold Langguth
1Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Germany.
Objectives:
Akathisia is a clinical important symptom, frequently induced by neuroleptic treatment. Despite its clinical importance, less is known about its pathophysiology.
Methods:
Using [18]-FDG-PET, imaging patterns of cortical metabolic activity were obtained in a patient during olanzapine-induced akathisia and after recovery.
Results:
Akathisia was characterized by a reduced metabolic activity in thalamus and cerebellum. After discontinuing medication akathisia disappeared, reflected by a recovery of metabolic activity in these brain areas.
Conclusion:
[18]-FDG-PET may be useful to identify cortical regions mediating clinical aspects of drug-induced akathisia, thereby offering a deeper insight into the pathophysiology of this serious side effect.
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