ASSESSMENT OF CEREBRAL BLOOD-FLOW IN DIABETIC-PATIENTS WITH NO CLINICAL HISTORY OF NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE

We assessed cerebral blood flow in 78 diabetic patients (40 Type 1 and 38 Type 2) with no previous history of central nervous system disease using Tc-99(m)-hexamethylpropylene amine oxime (Tc-99(m)-HMPAO) singl e photon emission tomography (SPET) and found areas of severe hypoperf usion in 36% of them. All cerebral anatomical regions showed abnormali ties related to hypoperfusion, but they were most frequently seen in t he fronto-temporal region, followed by the occipital and parietal regi ons. Tc-99(m)-HMPAO SPET has been shown to be able to defect subclinic al alterations in blood flow in diabetics, a finding that may account for the high prevalence of cerebrovascular disease seen in these patie nts. This technique could, therefore, play an important role in future preventative strategies.