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99mTc-HMPAO brain perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography in children with Down syndrome: relationship to epilepsy, thyroid functions, and congenital heart disease
Altiay S, Kaya M, Karasalihoglu S, Gultekin A, Oner N, Biner B.. Journal of child neurology, 2006-07-01
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
In recent years, it has been possible for patients with Down syndrome to live longer with advanced medical treatment and social support. As a result, the problems of these patients, such as thyroid diseases, leukemia, and Alzheimer disease, would be encountered more frequently. In this study, we aimed to perform the brain perfusion of children with Down syndrome by technetium 99m hexamethylpropylene amine oxime (99mTc-HMPAO) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and to determine the relationship between brain perfusion and epilepsy, thyroid function tests, congenital heart disease, and level of mental and motor development. Thirty patients with Down syndrome, aged between 1 and 15 years, were included in our study. Demographic data, the existence of epilepsy and congenital heart defects, the level of mental and motor development, serum levels of thyroid hormones, and autoantibodies were determined. All patients underwent computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cerebral SPECT was performed in all cases to evaluate the brain perfusion pattern. According to the visual evaluation of cerebral SPECT results, hypoperfusion was detected in 11 cases (37%). Patients with cerebral hypoperfusion (group 1) and patients with normal cerebral perfusion (group 2) were compared. There was no difference between group 1 and group 2 in terms of demographic data, congenital heart defects, IQ levels, thyroid hormones, and autoantibodies, but the incidence of epilepsy was significantly higher in group 1 (P<.001). When motor and mental development levels were compared, it was found that cases in group 1 were significantly more retarded in personal-social and fine motor skills (P<.05). The present study showed that cerebral hypoperfusion in children with Down syndrome is mostly related to epilepsy and the other coexisting conditions, congenital heart disease and hypothyroidism. Patients with cerebral hypoperfusion also have more retarded developmental levels, especially in personal-social and fine motor skills.
Key findings
- As a result, the problems of these patients, such as thyroid diseases, leukemia, and Alzheimer disease, would be encountered more frequently.
- According to the visual evaluation of cerebral SPECT results, hypoperfusion was detected in 11 cases (37%).
- There was no difference between group 1 and group 2 in terms of demographic data, congenital heart defects, IQ levels, thyroid hormones, and autoantibodies, but the incidence of epilepsy was significantly higher in group 1 (P<.001).
- When motor and mental development levels were compared, it was found that cases in group 1 were significantly more retarded in personal-social and fine motor skills (P<.05).
- The present study showed that cerebral hypoperfusion in children with Down syndrome is mostly related to epilepsy and the other coexisting conditions, congenital heart disease and hypothyroidism.
Why it matters
Among 30 children with Down syndrome, brain SPECT showed hypoperfusion in 11 cases, and epilepsy was more common in those with hypoperfusion. This was a small pediatric imaging study and did not test any treatment, cure or prevention for Alzheimer's disease.
Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 26/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it. We have no data on senior author's track record, so that was left out: it earned 25 of the 96 points we could judge it on, which is 26 out of 100.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Journal of child neurology) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Journal of Child Neurology: journal h-index 150 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 2006 — older than 20 years, still counted |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 1 / 7 | Cited 3 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 0 / 5 | 0.1 citations a year over 22 year(s) since 2006 |
| Impact for its field and year | 1 / 6 | Cited 0.3× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 0 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | — / 4 | Senior author's record not available — left out of this score |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Trakya University: institution h-index 157 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 16970855) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Points | 25 / 96 | Scored on 19 of 20 parts. We have no data for the rest, so they are left out: 25 of the 96 points we could judge it on is 26 out of 100. |
| Total | 26 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
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Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
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APA 7th
Altiay, S., Kaya, M., Karasalihoglu, S., Gultekin, A., Oner, N., & Biner, B. (2006). 99mTc-HMPAO brain perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography in children with Down syndrome: relationship to epilepsy, thyroid functions, and congenital heart disease. Journal of child neurology. https://doi.org/10.1177/08830738060210070901
Vancouver
Altiay S, Kaya M, Karasalihoglu S, Gultekin A, Oner N, Biner B. 99mTc-HMPAO brain perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography in children with Down syndrome: relationship to epilepsy, thyroid functions, and congenital heart disease. Journal of child neurology. 2006. doi:10.1177/08830738060210070901. PMID: 16970855.
BibTeX
@article{altiay2006-16970855,
author = {Altiay, S. and Kaya, M. and Karasalihoglu, S. and Gultekin, A. and Oner, N. and Biner, B.},
title = {{99mTc-HMPAO brain perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography in children with Down syndrome: relationship to epilepsy, thyroid functions, and congenital heart disease}},
journal = {Journal of child neurology},
year = {2006},
doi = {10.1177/08830738060210070901},
pmid = {16970855},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/08830738060210070901}
}
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