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Brain Perfusion Abnormalities in Gilles de la Tourette's Syndrome

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

John Moriarty ,
Durval Campos Costa ,
Bettina Schmitz ,
Michael R. Trimble ,
Peter J. Ell  and
Mary M. Robertson
John Moriarty*
Affiliation:
Raymond-Way Neuropsychiatry Group, Institute of Neurology, London
Durval Campos Costa
Affiliation:
Institute of Nuclear Medicine, London
Bettina Schmitz
Affiliation:
Raymond-Way Neuropsychiatry Group, Institute of Neurology, London
Michael R. Trimble
Affiliation:
Raymond-Way Neuropsychiatry Group, Institute of Neurology, London
Peter J. Ell
Affiliation:
Institute of Nuclear Medicine, London
Mary M. Robertson
Affiliation:
Raymond-Way Neuropsychiatry Group, Institute of Neurology, London
*
Dr J. Moriarty, Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG. Fax: (0171) 278 8772.
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Abstract

Background

Functional brain imaging with technetium-99m d,l-hexamethyl propyleneamine oxime (HMPAO) Single Photon Emission Tomography (SPET) allows us to explore the cerebral pathophysiology of Gilles de la Tourette's Syndrome (GTS).

Method

Fifty patients and 20 controls were examined. Patients were rated for tic severity and mood. Scans were analysed quantitatively using internal ratios to the occipital cortex.

Results

Patients differed from controls on measures of relative blood flow to the left caudate, anterior cingulate cortex and the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Severity of tics was related to hypoperfusion of the left caudate and cingulate and a left medial temporal region. Hypoperfusion in the left dorsolateral prefrontal region was related to mood.

Conclusions

The areas found to be hypoperfused in this study are consistent with known functions of fronto-striatal circuits. A wide range of perfusion patterns is seen, however, and no characteristic patterns for behavioural subgroups has been documented with this technique.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 167 , Issue 2 , August 1995 , pp. 249 - 254
Copyright
Copyright © 1995 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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