18F‑FDG Positron Emission Tomography Imaging of Cortical Reorganization in Spinal Trauma

Spinal cord injury (SCI) can cause changes in the brain's sensorimotor functions. This study uses 18F-FDG PET to look at metabolic changes in the brain after SCI, which can help create better rehabilitation plans. The study compares brain scans of six SCI patients with those of 19 healthy individuals to identify areas with increased or decreased glucose metabolism. The findings suggest that reduced metabolism in certain brain areas may be due to disuse, while increased metabolism in other areas may be linked to planning movement and cognitive changes after the injury.

• 1
  Increased metabolism was observed in the supplementary motor areas, comprehension centers, parts of the parietal and temporal lobes, putamen, and cerebellum in SCI patients.
• 2
  Decreased metabolism was found in areas such as the anterior cingulate gyrus, hippocampus, and sensory cortical areas in SCI patients.
• 3
  The frontal lobe showed varied metabolic changes, with some regions displaying higher metabolism and others lower metabolism in SCI patients compared to controls.