Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
Published on: April 23, 2021
Prefrontal hypoperfusion and cognitive dysfunction correlates in spinocerebellar ataxia type 6
Y Kawai1, M Suenaga, H Watanabe
1Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan.
Objective:
The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation between brain perfusion and cognitive dysfunction in spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6) patients.
Methods:
Thirteen genetically confirmed SCA6 patients and 21 age- and education-matched control subjects were subjected to single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and neuropsychological tests. Brain perfusion was examined with SPECT analysis, while general cognition, verbal and visual memory, attention, visuospatial ability, language, executive function, depression, and anxiety were examined with the neuropsychological tests.
Results:
SCA6 patients showed prefrontal hypoperfusion, and impairments of visual memory, verbal fluency, and executive function compared to control subjects. These neuropsychological impairments in SCA6 patients were significantly correlated with a decrease in prefrontal perfusion. This relation was not correlated to other factors, such as age, education and severity of cerebellar ataxia, which are possible relevant factors associated with cognitive performance.
Conclusions:
SCA6 patients have mild cognitive impairment, and correlating prefrontal hypoperfusion. These results indicate cognitive impairment in SCA6 patients resulting from prefrontal hypoperfusion.
Related Concept Videos
Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory
Dementia l: Introduction
Hepatic Encephalopathy

