Abstracts

To evaluate brain regions with abnormal function in children with developmental delay and epilepsy by using 2-deoxy-2-[¹⁸F]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography(PET).
Detailed psychodevelopmental assessment and FDG-PET scanning were performed on 6 children aged between 7 and 12 years ( mean age 10.2 years) old with developmental delay and epilepsy. We applied the objective technique of statistical parametric mapping (SPM) to define focal abnormalities of glucose metabolism, and compared with those of a group of normal adult subjects (n=8, mean age, 27.5 years) as well as age-matched children with developmental delay but without epilepsy (n = 5, mean age 9.1 years).
SPM analysis in the group showing developmental delay with epilepsy, revealed extensive glucose hypometabolism bilaterally in the superior / middle frontal gyrus and superior / middle temporal gyrus when compared with that in normal adult control group. In children with development delay without epilepsy, similar findings were noted bilaterally in areas of inferior temporal gyrus, thalamus and cerebellar posterior lobe. Comparing children with both developmental delay and epilepsy and those with developmental delay only, reduced glucose metabolism was defined at a focal area of bilateral frontal cortex in the former group only.
Bilateral frontal brain glucose hypometabolism observed in children with developmental delay and epilepsy may be related to decreased cognitive function and widespread dysfunction of cortical regions. PET studies may enable us to elucidate the neurobiologic basis of development and epilepsy in children.