CEREBRAL BLOOD-FLOW IN WHITE-MATTER IS CORRELATED WITH SYSTOLIC BLOOD-PRESSURE AND EEG IN SENILE DEMENTIA OF THE ALZHEIMER-TYPE

The presence and functional significance of white matter lesions in th e ageing brain and in dementia as well as their relation to blood pres sure are often discussed. The aim of this study was to evaluate cerebr al blood flow in white matter (WMCBF) and its relation to systemic blo od pressure and multichannel EEG. WMCBF was measured in 24 elderly wom en with senile dementia of Alzheimer's type (SDAT, median age 85.5, ra nge 68-93) and 20 age-matched controls (median age 86.0, range 79-93) using Tc-99m-HMPAO single photon emission CT. A significant low WMCBF could be observed in all analysed regions in SDAT subjects compared to controls, with the greatest decline in the posterior region (parietot emporo-occipital area). Correlations between quantified EEG from the p osterior regions and WMCBF were seen. Systolic blood pressure was sign ificantly lower in the SDAT group and was positively correlated with W MCBF in the posterior and anterior brain regions. Whether low systemic blood pressure is the result of cerebral dysfunction is unclear.