BACKGROUND
Central benzodiazepine (BZD) receptor imaging is effective to evaluate neur
on density in the pathological brain cortex. This study used BZD receptor i
maging to evaluate neuronal damage in adult ischemic moyamoya disease.
METHODS
Single photon emission computed tomography and a novel tracer, I-123-iomaze
nil, were used to measure BZD receptor density in the brain. Evaluation of
early and late images was performed in three asymptomatic, unoperated patie
nts, and six mildly symptomatic, operated patients.
RESULTS
Uptakes in the frontal, parietal, and occipital lobes of symptomatic patien
ts were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than those of asymptomatic patients.
The late image/early image count ratios (L/E ratios) of asymptomatic patie
nts were relatively constant (mean, 0.571; range, 0.550-0.581) in all regio
ns of interest. In contrast, the L/E ratios of symptomatic patients were no
t uniform.
CONCLUSIONS
The neuron density was preserved in adult asymptomatic patients despite har
boring moyamoya disease. In contrast, the neuronal density was decreased in
symptomatic patients even though their symptoms were mild and they had und
ergone revascularization. (C) 1999 by Elsevier Science Inc.