[123I-iodoamphetamine single photon emission computed tomography in three patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis].

We examined the 123I-iodoamphetamine SPECT for 3 patients with ALS, who were clinically diagnosed. Patient 1 was a 31-years-old man, who had bilateral muscle weakness of his upper extremities, and spasticity in lower extremities. Patient 2 was a 51-years-old woman, who had marked weakness of her upper extremities and bulbar sign. Patient 3 was a 68-years-old man, who had severe degree of marked weakness of his upper extremities and mild bulbar signs. Cerebral cognitive function were all normal in three patients. Computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imagings showed moderate degree of cortical atrophy in patient 1, but no abnormalities in patients 2 and 3. In 123I-IMP SPECT, however, hypoperfusion were recognized on the bilateral fronto-parietal border zone areas in these three patients with ALS. It was suggested that patients with ALS showed varying degrees of impaired perfusion in the fronto-parietal border zone areas in spite of normal cognitive functions.