Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026
08:40
Positron Emission Tomography Imaging for In Vivo Measuring of Myelin Content in the Lysolecithin Rat Model of Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: February 28, 2021
SPECT brain imaging in chronic Lyme disease.
Sam T Donta1, Richard B Noto, John A Vento
1Department of Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA 02541, USA. sdonta@comcast.net
Clinical Nuclear Medicine
|August 15, 2012
Summary
Most chronic Lyme disease patients show brain abnormalities on SPECT scans, which can be objectively measured. Certain antibiotic treatments may improve these findings and clinical symptoms over time.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Lyme disease frequently affects the central nervous system, causing cognitive and mood issues.
- The underlying cause of these neurological symptoms is often unclear, potentially involving vasculitis or metabolic changes.
- Brain SPECT scans offer a method to objectively assess brain abnormalities in Lyme disease patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency, location, and severity of brain perfusion abnormalities in chronic Lyme disease patients using SPECT scans.
- To investigate the correlation between SPECT findings and serological status.
- To evaluate the impact of antibiotic treatment on brain SPECT abnormalities.
Main Methods:
- 183 individuals with chronic Lyme disease underwent brain SPECT scans.
- Perfusion abnormalities were categorized as mild, moderate, or severe.
- MRI scans were also performed, and treatment outcomes were monitored.
Main Results:
- 75% of patients exhibited brain perfusion abnormalities, primarily in the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes.
- Seropositive and seronegative patients showed similar rates and types of perfusion defects.
- 14% of patients had abnormal brain MRIs. Treatment with specific antibiotics led to improvement in 70% of patients over 1-2 years.
Conclusions:
- Brain SPECT scans reveal abnormalities in the majority of chronic Lyme disease patients, providing objective diagnostic evidence.
- Specific antibiotic regimens appear to improve both clinical symptoms and SPECT scan findings in chronic Lyme disease.
