Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography and Neuropsychological Tests That Predict a Good Response to Donepezil Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease.
10.12779/dnd.2015.14.3.106
- Author:
Dong Eun KIM
1
;
Ari CHONG
;
Ho Chun SONG
;
Seong Min CHOI
;
Kyung Wook KANG
;
Jung Min HA
;
Ja Hae KIM
;
Tae Hoon KIM
;
Gwang Woo JEONG
;
Kyung Won PARK
;
Mony J DE LEON
;
Byeong C KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea. byeong.kim7@gmail.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Alzheimer's disease;
acetylcholinesterase inhibitor;
regional cerebral blood flow;
single photon emission computerized tomography;
Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination
- MeSH:
Alzheimer Disease*;
Brain;
Cholinesterase Inhibitors;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Linear Models;
Mass Screening;
Neuropsychological Tests*;
Perfusion;
Prospective Studies;
Seoul;
Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*
- From:Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders
2015;14(3):106-113
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) are effective in Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment. The aim of this study is 1) to find neuropsychological factors that affect the functional response to ChEI therapy and 2) to determine whether regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) pretreatment predicts a cognitive change in response to ChEI. METHODS: We prospectively recruited 32 patients diagnosed with probable AD and treated them with donepezil, a ChEI, over one year. The patients were divided into stable (s-AD) and declined (d-AD) AD groups, based on changes in Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) scores. Patients were assessed using the Alzheimer's Disease Co-operative Study-Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL) and Seoul Neuropsychologic Screening Battery, as well as brain single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) at baseline and last medical evaluations. The predictors of therapeutic responses were analyzed using general linear models. RESULTS: Based on their cognitive function changes, AD patients were classified into two groups: s-AD (n=14, annual change in K-MMSE score <0.9), or d-AD (n=18, annual change in K-MMSE score > or =0.9). The s-AD at baseline showed significantly better ADCS-ADL function (p=0.04) and had a tendency to preserve frontal function compared to the d-AD group. Global Statistical Parametric Mapping analysis revealed no significant decrease of rCBF between baseline and follow-up SPECT, in either the s-AD or the d-AD groups. However, on regional perfusion analysis of baseline SPECT, the d-AD group demonstrated perfusion deficits in the supramarginal gyrus, inferior occipital gyrus, and rolandic operculum compared with the s-AD group. CONCLUSIONS: Highly preserved ADCS-ADLs predicted a better improvement in MMSE scores in response to ChEI therapy and a more positive functional response in the group with preserved frontal function. rCBF provided hints to the variable response to donepezil therapy with ChEI treatment.
