Brain Perfusion PET CT Scan

[JayPwP]

Here's my report

Technique:

Scanner: GE Discovery IQ HD MDCT with BGO detector technology

Radioisotope: 18F FDG, 185 mBq. Uptake period was 60 minutes.

Extent of study: Brain.

Findings:

• Moderate to severely reduced FDG uptake is seen in bilateral lateral prefrontal, bilateral

parietal, bilateral sensorimotor, bilateral posterior cingulate and precuneus region of

brain parenchyma.

• Increased FDG uptake is seen in bilateral mesial temporal region.

• Rest of the brain shows preserved metabolism.

Impression:

• Moderate to severe hypometabolism noted in bilateral lateral prefrontal, bilateral parietal, bilateral sensorimotor, bilateral posterior cingulate and precuneus region of brain parenchyma.

• Hypermetabolism noted in bilateral mesial temporal region.

• Rest of the brain shows preserved metabolism.

[JayPwP]

Question is, is this cause or result of my condition?

[Gioc in reply to JayPwP]

Good question 🤔

[Smittybear7]

Why did you have that test done?

[JayPwP in reply to Smittybear7]

Replied below

[Bolt_Upright]

Did the doctor explain what this all meant? I did some Googling but it was all Greek.

[ddmagee1]

Looks like Greek to me! Could you explain in laymen’s terms, what this all means! Should it be a concern for all of us, diagnosed with PD? Thank you!

[JayPwP]

I had this test done to understand the blood supply to the brain, to check if vascular insufficiency is causing my symptoms.

Yet to visit the doctor...

[kevowpd in reply to JayPwP]

Did you get the explanation yet?

[JayPwP in reply to kevowpd]

Doc says Hypometabolism can be due to:1. Cells already dead therefore reduced glucose uptake in certain areas, or

2. Cells dying therefore reduced glucose uptake in certain areas

Personally I have switched to MCT oil in the hope that dying cells may be able to function and revive with ketones since the cells are unable to use glucose.

I will also start 48 hour fasts once a week or more, to clear blood vessel blockages and also increase BDNF.

[CaseyInsights in reply to JayPwP]

If you are going to increase your fat intake via MTC oil, may I suggest fresh coconut milk. It should find a place in your cooking: curies, beans, rice, bread.

It is a kind of ‘tropical keto’. I adopted this pattern because my spouse is ‘glucose intolerant’. It moves the body towards using fat as a fuel, for greater metabolic flexibility.

And I no longer use MTC, as I found it too expensive for the long term. But it is a great place to start 🌺

[JayPwP in reply to CaseyInsights]

Thanks. My current concept is to first fuel the cells to keep them alive with MCT oil ketones while changing the diet to move into ketosis

[CaseyInsights in reply to JayPwP]

Be aware your ‘cholesterol’ is going to go through the roof.

My spouse current ‘total cholesterol’ is 335 mg/dl. So it goes without saying doctors would want to put you on a statin, if your numbers do jump up. And the are going to do so.

So you got some more research to do, to sidestep that type of advice.

But when you get there give me a shout. I have some great resources on the cholesterol con 🌺👍🏾🌺

[JayPwP in reply to CaseyInsights]

Sure... Will do

[kevowpd in reply to JayPwP]

Thanks. Did you speak to a neurologist about the results? Do they offer any differential diagnostic clues as to the nature of your condition? Are these issues consistent with PD?

Someone thought this scan might provide some insight (ive never seen a PWP or suspected PWP mention this before) and i hope for your sake it winds up being more than "the cells might be dead or dying"?

[JayPwP]

The vicious circle of hypometabolism in neurodegenerative diseases: Ways and mechanisms of metabolic correction

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

[CaseyInsights in reply to JayPwP]

Interesting find! Downloaded for in depth perusal 🌺

[JayPwP in reply to CaseyInsights]

Thanks. Waiting for your inputs

[Smittybear7 in reply to JayPwP]

Is there a test for glucose metabolism and oxidative stress?

[JayPwP in reply to Smittybear7]

I only know of1. Brain Perfusion PET CT Scan

2. Brain Perfusion MRI Scan

[Gioc in reply to JayPwP]

quote: “Therefore, metabolic correction leading to the normalization of abnormalities in glucose metabolism may be an efficient tool to treat the neurological disorders by counteracting their primary pathological mechanisms. “

IMO this is what b1 does in the short run and niacin in the long run. (I see that metabolic correction on me with intramuscular b1 every day , less with pills because this is what b1 do to the body, the brain is less accessible). But it is possible that there are better ways to get it.

[Smittybear7]

Thanks

[Kia17]

JayPwP May I ask what are your main symptoms? Do your symptoms get worse suddenly when you take sugar?

[JayPwP in reply to Kia17]

Blurred speech, bradykinesia, stooped posture my main symptoms

No worsening on high sugar

[CaseyInsights]

No worsening on high sugar.

This is interesting! I would have thought given your ‘hypometabolism’, you would show a *worsening condition on high sugar intake.

My spouse shakes like a leaf on excess sugar. She is super careful with pastry - just a bite on any given day.

I am beginning to wonder if you are any closer to ‘root cause’. Still, let’s see what the MTC oil delivers 🌺

Edit: Not too sure *worsening is right. But there should be some change, maybe a bettering of the condition

[JayPwP in reply to CaseyInsights]

I don't have resting tremors

[CaseyInsights in reply to JayPwP]

…but there should be some noticeable physical response to a high sugar load, if as assessed sugar is not correctly processed in the brain. Just my (possibility simplistic) deduction. 🧐

[kevowpd in reply to CaseyInsights]

I mean if we are talking about dead cells there might not be. Think a high caffeine hit for someone with no, or very few, D receptors. Potentially minimal impact.

[JayPwP in reply to kevowpd]

True

[JayPwP in reply to CaseyInsights]

None at all