Simultaneous Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Magnetic Resonance (MR) in Visual Snow Syndrome

Simultaneous Fluorodeoxyglucose and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (18F-FDG PET/MR) Study of Metabolic and Structural Changes in Visual Snow Syndrome Compared to Healthy Controls

Visual snow syndrome (VSS) is a neurologic condition where patients experience tiny flickering dots in their entire visual field. It has been reported that the brain consumes more glucose in the lingual gyrus (a subdivision of the occipital cortex) and that this also shows increased volume of grey matter (neurons and supporting cells). In this study, the investigators apply fluor-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with magnetic resonance imaging (18F-FDG PET/MR) in patients with VSS and compare this to healthy controls. Aside from an analysis in each brain volume element (voxel), the accuracy of classifying groups based on a volume-of-interest (VOI) analysis of both PET and MR is studied, Lastly, this is also compared to a visual assessment of the PET and MR images.

Aim : Prospective measurement of brain glucose metabolism and structural integrity in the brain of subjects with visual snow syndrome (VSS). Voxel-based and volume-of interest comparison to age matched healthy controls retrospectively obtained on the same simultaneous PET/MR imaging system.

Hypothesis : 1/ VSS patients show overactivation of parts of the visual system, in particular the lingual gyrus, which is likely related to larger volume of the gyrus on structural imaging. 2/ Discrimination of VSS patients versus controls can be done by visual read of FDG PET and/or volume-of-interest based discriminant analysis.

Methods : Recruitment through neurology practice specialised in VSS, detailed history taking and assessment of in/exclusion criteria, scanning with simultaneous18F-FDG PET/MR Signa GE Healthcare.

Analysis : visual assessment, group-based voxel and volume-of-interest based analysis (FDG PET, volumetry T1 MRI) with appropriate statistics and corrections for multiple regional comparisons. Discriminant analysis on VOI based data. Dual observer scoring of visual data and assessment of accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of visual image analysis compared to clinical final diagnosis.

GROUP 1: VSS Patients

Inclusion Criteria:

• M/F, age 18-85,
• diagnosis of VSS by an experienced neurologist : dynamic, continuous, black and white tiny dots in the entire visual field lasting longer than 3 months, with at least two additional visual symptoms

Exclusion Criteria:

- other underlying neurological conditions inclusive ophthalmological examinations

GROUP 2 : Controls

Inclusion Criteria:

• age 18-85 years, M/F, in general healthy condition
• normal neurological examination, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) ≥ 28, Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) score ≤ 9, and a normal structural volumetric MRI.

Exclusion Criteria:

• history of major internal pathology, neurological and/or psychiatric disorders (including psychosis, depression, and anxiety),
• history of frequent migraine attacks, substance abuse or current use of any central acting medication
• first-degree relatives with dementia.