Abstract
Objective
The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is considered a useful supplementary method to diagnose dementia and evaluate the severity of cognitive disturbance. However, the region of the cerebrum that correlates with the MMSE score is not clear. Recently, a new method was developed to analyze regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) using a Z score imaging system (eZIS). This system shows changes of rCBF when compared with a normal database. In addition, a three-dimensional stereotaxic region of interest (ROI) template (3DSRT), fully automated ROI analysis software was developed. The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between rCBF changes and total MMSE score using these new methods.
Methods
The association between total MMSE score and rCBF changes was investigated in 24 patients (mean age ± SD 71.5 ± 9.2 years; 6 men and 18 women) with memory impairment using eZIS and 3DSRT. Step-wise multiple regression analysis was used for multivariate analysis, with the total MMSE score as the dependent variable and rCBF change in 24 areas as the independent variable.
Results
Total MMSE score was significantly correlated only with the reduction of left hippocampal perfusion but not with right (P < 0.01).
Conclusions
Total MMSE score is an important indicator of left hippocampal function.
References
Folstein MF, Folstein SE, McHugh PR. “Mini-Mental State”: a practical method for grading the cognitive state for clinician. J Psychiatr Res 1975;12:189–198.
Kanetaka H, Matsuda H, Asada T, Ohnishi T, Yamashita F, Imabayashi E, et al. Effects of partial volume correction on discrimination between very early Alzheimer’s dementia and controls using brain perfusion SPECT. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2004;31:975–980.
Matsuda H, Mizumura S, Soma T, Takemura N. Conversion of brain SPECT images between different collimators and reconstruction processes for analysis using statistical parametric mapping. Nucl Med Commun 2004;25:67–74.
Takeuchi R, Yonekura Y, Matsuda H, Konishi J. Usefulness of a three-dimensional stereotaxic ROI template on anatomically standardised 99mTc-ECD SPET. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2002;29:331–341.
Takeuchi R, Matsuda H, Yoshioka K, Yonekura Y. Cerebral blood flow SPET in transient global amnesia with automated ROI analysis by 3DSRT. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2004;31:578–589.
Ushijima Y, Okuyama C, Mori S, Nakamura T, Kubota T, Nishimura T. Relationship between cognitive function and regional cerebral blood flow in Alzheimer’s disease. Nucl Med Commun 2002;23:779–784.
Rodriguez G, Vitali P, Calvini P, Bordoni C, Girtler N, Taddei G, et al. Hippocampal perfusion in mild Alzheimer’s disease. Psychiatry Res 2000;100:65–74.
Yamaguchi S, Meguro K, Shimada M, Ishizaki J, Yamadori A, Sekita Y. Five-year retrospective changes in hippocampal atrophy and cognitive screening test performances in very mild Alzheimer’s disease: the Tajiri Project. Neuroradiology 2002;44:43–48.
Laakso MP, Soininen H, Partanen K, Helkala EL, Hartikainen P, Vainio P, et al. Volumes of hippocampus, amygdala and frontal lobes in the MRI-based diagnosis of early Alzheimer’s disease: correlation with memory functions. J Neural Transm Park Dis Dement Sect 1995;9:73–86.
Bäckman L, Andersson JL, Nyberg L, Winblad B, Nordberg A, Almkvist O. Brain regions associated with episodic retrieval in normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease. Neurology 1999;52:1861–1870.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ikeda, E., Shiozaki, K., Takahashi, N. et al. Total Mini-Mental State Examination score and regional cerebral blood flow using Z score imaging and automated ROI analysis software in subjects with memory impairment. Ann Nucl Med 22, 539–542 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12149-007-0148-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12149-007-0148-2