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Simultaneous PET/MRI Imaging During Mouse Cerebral Hypoxia-ischemia
Published on: September 20, 2015
Diffusion-weighted imaging of hyperacute cerebral hypoglycemia.
P Schmidt1, J Böttcher, A Ragoschke-Schumm
1Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany. peter.schmidt@med.uni-jena.de
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|April 23, 2011
Summary
Severe hypoglycemia did not cause visible brain changes on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). This study found no alterations in cerebral diffusion despite rapid, short-term blood glucose reduction.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Radiology
- Metabolic disorders
Background:
- Cerebral hypoglycemia can lead to reversible brain injuries.
- Impaired diffusion disturbances are associated with metabolic brain insults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate potential changes in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of the human brain.
- To assess the effects of hyperacute, short-term severe hypoglycemia on brain diffusion.
Main Methods:
- Ten participants undergoing clinical insulin tolerance testing (ITT) were monitored.
- Continuous venous blood glucose measurement and sequential DWI scans were performed.
- Severe hypoglycemia was induced and terminated with intravenous glucose.
Main Results:
- Mean blood glucose nadir reached 1.75 ± 0.38 mmol/L.
- No observable alterations in cerebral diffusion were detected via DWI in any participant.
Conclusions:
- Hyperacute, short-term severe hypoglycemia does not induce detectable changes on DWI.
- Diffusion-weighted imaging may not be sensitive to immediate metabolic insults from brief hypoglycemia.

