Klinische Neurophysiologie 2006; 37 - A122
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-939205

Localised emotionality by FDG-PET in patients with multiple sclerosis

J Koehler 1, C Büscher 1, HG Buchholz 2, M Schreckenberger 2
  • 1Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie, Johannes Gutenberg – Universität Mainz
  • 2Klinik und Poliklinik für Nuklearmedizin, Johannes Gutenberg – Universität Mainz

Introduction:

Since 1881 different groups tried to allocate emotionality to one definite hemisphere. Gainotti found an increased emotionality in patients with left-sided hemispheric lesions. In contrast Sackheim attached positive emotion to the left and negative emotion to the right hemisphere. Our study focused on detecting an possible impairment of glucose metabolism by FDG-PET in 11 patients with newly diagnosed definite multiple sclerosis (MS) in correlation with the dimensions of the personality evaluated by the „Fribourg Personality Inventory“ (FPI)

Methods:

Twelve dimensions of the personality were evaluated by the FPI in 11 patients with newly diagnosed definite MS. Within one month after diagnosis the glucose metabolism of the brain was investigated by FDG-PET. Afterwards the local cerebral glucose metabolism was correlated with the parameter-value of the dimensions by SPM99 (Statistical Parametric Mapping).

Results:

SPM-analysis showed a significant negative correlation of the glucose metabolism at the insula (p=0,01) with the dimension „emotionality“ evaluated by FPI. Patients with high values in the FPI, which corresponds with emotional instability, increased sensitiveness and anxiety showed a reduction of the glucose metabolism in the cortex of the insula in both hemispheres with accentuation of the right side. All other dimensions tested by the FPI showed no correlation with the FDG-PET.

Discussion:

The insula is known as an important part of the brain which is responsible for emotional processing. Therefore bilateral reduction of the glucose metabolism in these areas correlates with an increased emotional instability. Acceleration of the right hemisphere could be point to a partial lateralisation of the dimension „emotionality“ in our patients. In contrast to previous studies we could found a reduction of glucose metabolism. Emotional instability in our patients could be triggered by emotional stress related to the newly diagnosed definite MS.