BILATERAL STUDIES OF CEREBRAL OXYGEN UPTAKE IN YOUNG AND AGED NORMAL SUBJECTS AND IN PATIENTS WITH ORGANIC DEMENTIA

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Abstract
Cerebral blood flow (CBF) and O2 uptake (CMRO2) were measured in 11 young normal subjects, 5 aged normals and 9 aged patients with organic dementia. Lawson and Munck''s modification of the N2O method of Kety and Schmidt was employed to measure CBF and CMRO2, and mental function was assessed by psychiatric interview and psychometric testing. Ten minute CBF and CMRO2 values were higher than extrapolated values for all groups, and it was concluded that extrapolation probably increases validity though it decreases reliability. The mean bilateral CMRO2 of old normals was significantly less (p<.05) than the value found in young normals. Compared with aged normals, the aged deteriorated patients show significant mean reductions (p< .05) in the 10 left CBF and left and bilateral CMRO2 values and in the extrapolated left and bilateral CMRO2 values. Significant positive correlations were obtained between the left and bilateral CMRO2 values and psychometric scores in the aged groups.