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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
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Real-Time Monitoring of Neurocritical Patients with Diffuse Optical Spectroscopies
Published on: November 19, 2020
Cerebral perfusion changes in older delirious patients using 99mTc HMPAO SPECT
Tamara G Fong1, Sidney T Bogardus, Aditya Daftary
1Department of Neurlogy, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. tfong@bidmc.harvard.edu
Summary
Cerebral blood flow changes in older adults with delirium may involve frontal or parietal abnormalities. These perfusion changes can be reversible, offering insights into delirium pathophysiology.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Geriatrics
- Radiology
Background:
- Delirium is common in older hospitalized patients.
- Previous research shows inconsistent cerebral blood flow (CBF) changes in delirium.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate CBF changes in older hospitalized patients experiencing delirium.
- To explore the pathophysiology of delirium.
Main Methods:
- Used 99mTc HMPAO single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scans.
- Studied hospitalized patients aged 65+ with delirium.
- Compared SPECT scans during and after delirium resolution.
Main Results:
- 50% of participants had normal scans; others showed frontal or parietal perfusion abnormalities.
- Reduced blood flow identified in frontal, temporal, occipital, and pontine regions.
- Reversible perfusion abnormalities noted in three patients.
Conclusions:
- Frontal or parietal cerebral perfusion abnormalities may occur in delirium.
- Findings require confirmation in larger studies.
- Results may aid understanding of delirium and treatment evaluation.
