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Cerebral blood flow changes in patients with conversion disorder
1Department of Psychiatry, Hacettepe University Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey. hutfp-o@servis2.net.tr
Psychiatry Research
|December 16, 1998
Summary
This study found reduced regional cerebral blood flow in the left temporal or parietal lobes of patients experiencing conversion disorder symptoms like astasia-abasia. These findings suggest brain perfusion changes are linked to conversion disorder.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Conversion disorder is a complex condition with poorly understood neurological underpinnings.
- Astasia-abasia, a specific conversion symptom, involves inability to stand or walk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in patients with conversion disorder presenting with astasia-abasia.
- To explore potential neural correlates of conversion disorder using functional imaging techniques.
Main Methods:
- Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was used to assess rCBF.
- [99mTc]hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime was the radiotracer injected.
- Perfusion decreases were defined as a change > or = 10% in uptake ratios between affected and normal brain regions.
Main Results:
- Four out of five patients exhibited decreased perfusion in the left temporal lobe.
- One patient showed decreased perfusion in the left parietal lobe.
- Uptake ratios ranged from 0.72 to 0.88, with a mean of 0.81+/-0.08.
Conclusions:
- Alterations in regional brain perfusion may be associated with conversion symptoms.
- Functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT may help elucidate the neural basis of conversion disorder.