Fatal mechanical asphyxia induces changes in energy utilization in the rat brain: An (18)F-FDG-PET study.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate changes in brain glucose metabolism in rats following ligature strangulation.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Thirteen male Wistar rats were used in the present study, divided into control (n=7) and asphyxia groups (n=6, ligature strangulation). Positron emission tomography (PET) with 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose ((18)F-FDG) was used to evaluate brain glucose metabolism. Rats were scanned for PET-CT, and image data co-registered with a T2WI MRI template using SPM8 software. Image J was employed to draw regions of interest (ROIs) from the MRI template and acquire ROI activity information from the PET images.

RESULTS

In the asphyxia group vs. controls, (18)F-FDG uptake (FU) was decreased in the substantia nigra (25.26%, p<0.001), rhombencephalon (pons/medulla oblongata, 13.92%, p<0.01), hypothalamus (22.06%, p<0.01), ventral tegmentum (10.12%, p<0.05) and amygdala (12.74%, p<0.05); however, FU was increased in motor (18.21%, p<0.05) and visual cortices (19.2%, p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The glucose metabolism distribution map in the asphyxiated rat brains were substantially changed versus controls. PET with (18)F-FDG can demonstrate excitement and inhibition of different brain areas even in cases of ligature strangulation.