Correlation of cognition and SPECT perfusion: easy Z score and SPM analysis of a pilot sample with cerebral small vessel disease.

Background/aims: To associate neuropsychology test performance with perfusion on single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) among 12 patients with cerebral small vessel disease.

Methods: The easy Z score imaging system (eZIS) was used to compare patient images to those of normal controls. Scores from neuropsychological tests commonly used to screen for dementia were associated with SPECT resting perfusion image values using the statistical parametric mapping (SPM) program.

Results: Immediate Memory and Delayed Memory index scores, as well as memory subtests of the Repeatable Battery for Assessment of Neuropsychological Status showed cluster- and voxelwise positive correlations with hypoperfusion in frontal, temporal and cerebellar regions. Negative correlations, primarily in frontal regions, were interpreted as compensatory hyperperfusion.

Conclusion: eZIS and SPM analyses of SPECT images showed perfusion correlations with neuropsychological tests with small vessel disease.