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Neural correlates of visual hallucinations in dementia with Lewy bodies

Camille Heitz1, Vincent Noblet2, Benjamin Cretin3

  • 1Neuropsychology Unit, Neurology Department, University Hospital of Strasbourg, 1, avenue Molière, 67098 Strasbourg, France ; CMRR (Memory Resource and Research Center), University Hospital of Strasbourg, 1, avenue Molière, 67098 Strasbourg, France.

Alzheimer'S Research & Therapy
|February 27, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Visual hallucinations in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are linked to reduced brain perfusion in specific regions. Impaired anterior cingulate cortex and orbitofrontal cortex are associated with hallucination severity in DLB patients.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is characterized by cognitive decline and visual hallucinations.
  • Brain perfusion abnormalities may underlie these hallucinations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between visual hallucinations in DLB and brain perfusion using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 66 DLB patients (36 with hallucinations, 30 controls).
  • Assessment of visual hallucination severity using a 3-point scale.
  • Voxel-level SPECT comparisons and correlation analysis between perfusion and hallucination severity.

Main Results:

  • Reduced perfusion observed in the left anterior cingulate cortex, left orbitofrontal cortex, and left cuneus in DLB patients with hallucinations.
  • Decreased perfusion in bilateral anterior cingulate cortex, left orbitofrontal cortex, right parahippocampal gyrus, right inferior temporal cortex, and left cuneus correlated with hallucination severity.

Conclusions:

  • Visual hallucinations in DLB are associated with impaired perfusion in anterior (orbitofrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex) and posterior (secondary visual areas) regions.
  • Specific regions, including the anterior cingulate cortex and parahippocampal gyrus, may be linked to the complexity of visual hallucinations.
Abstract

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