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Global Cerebral Blood Flow in Relation to Cognitive Performance and Reserve in Subjects with Mild Memory Deficits

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Abstract

Purpose

This study was undertaken to explore the mechanisms underlying cognitive reserve in subjects with mild memory deficits by using positron emission tomography (PET).

Methods

Global cerebral blood flow (gCBF) and cerebrovascular reserve (CVR) measurements were performed in 15 elders (5 men, 10 women, 62–84, 71.8 ± 6.2 years) meeting criteria for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). PET consisted of quantitative [15O]water determinations of CBF, two at baseline and one postadministration of acetazolamide (ACZ).

Results

Mean gCBF were 44.9 ± 5.5 during counting, 44.5 ± 6.7 for the memory task, and 60.2 ± 4.8 ml/min/100 g for post-ACZ (CVR of 33.9 ± 13.2%). Task-related gCBF change was significantly related to memory score, performance on the Trail Making Test B (Trails-B), premorbid IQ, and education, and differed significantly between the learning-based groups.

Conclusions

Cognitive reserve appears analogous to cardiac reserve. The ability to alter gCBF paralleled performance on general cognitive measures, was enhanced in higher levels of cognitive reserve, and was impaired in individuals who no longer appear to benefit from repeated exposure to testing.

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Acknowledgments

This study was made possible by Grant number NIH 1 R21 MH61801-01A1. The authors acknowledge the efforts of Karen Ekstam-Smith and Jane Kerr for subject recruitment, study scheduling and coordination, and neuropsychological testing; Jo Clark, Amy Conklin, and Lea Weldon for arterial catheter placement and blood sampling; Kathy Thede-Reynolds and Len Watkins for [15O]water quality assurance testing; Dean Clermont, Christine Mundt, Beth Schmitt, Julie Riggert, and John Richmond for PET data acquisition and processing; Xiying Chen for MRI and PET coregistration; and Dr. Joan Maley for assessment of MRI for structural pathology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Positron Emission Tomography Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, 52242, USA

    Laura L. Boles Ponto PhD & Vincent A. Magnotta PhD

  2. Positron Emission Tomography Imaging Center, Department of Psychiatry, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, 52242, USA

    David J. Moser PhD, Kevin M. Duff PhD & Susan K. Schultz MD

  3. PET Imaging Center, 0911 Z JPP, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa, IA, 52242, USA

    Laura L. Boles Ponto PhD

Authors
  1. Laura L. Boles Ponto PhD
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  2. Vincent A. Magnotta PhD
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  3. David J. Moser PhD
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  4. Kevin M. Duff PhD
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  5. Susan K. Schultz MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Laura L. Boles Ponto PhD.

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Boles Ponto, L.L., Magnotta, V.A., Moser, D.J. et al. Global Cerebral Blood Flow in Relation to Cognitive Performance and Reserve in Subjects with Mild Memory Deficits. Mol Imaging Biol 8, 363–372 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11307-006-0066-z

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