A case of Kleine-Levin syndrome examined with SPECT and neuropsychological testing

Acta Neurol Scand. 2002 Apr;105(4):318-21. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0404.2002.1c162.x.

Abstract

A case of Kleine-Levin syndrome with typical periodic hypersomnia and bulimia was diagnosed. On examination with single photo emission tomography (SPECT) (CERETEC) during a relapse period and 2 weeks later there was marked cortical hypoperfusion of the frontal and temporal lobes, especially on the left side as well as in the right parietal lobe. Neuropsychological testing performed 1 week after a relapse showed a reduction in encoding to memory function of verbal learning indicating neocortical damage of the left fronto-temporal region. A follow-up 2 months later after the patient had spontaneously recovered showed only a slight left fronto-temporal disturbance. CT and MRI of the brain were normal although the MRI showed a large and asymmetric mamillary body. Neuropsychological testing 6 years after recovery showed pronounced reduction in short-time verbal and visual memory. Seven years after recovery SPECT demonstrated a normalized frontal perfusion but still a slight hypoperfusion in the left temporal lobe. Our results correlate to autopsy findings in two cases described previously.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Disease Progression
  • Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / physiopathology
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Frontal Lobe / blood supply
  • Frontal Lobe / diagnostic imaging
  • Frontal Lobe / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Hyperphagia / physiopathology
  • Kleine-Levin Syndrome / diagnostic imaging
  • Kleine-Levin Syndrome / physiopathology*
  • Kleine-Levin Syndrome / psychology
  • Male
  • Memory
  • Neuropsychological Tests*
  • Parietal Lobe / blood supply
  • Parietal Lobe / diagnostic imaging
  • Temporal Lobe / blood supply
  • Temporal Lobe / diagnostic imaging
  • Temporal Lobe / physiopathology
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*
  • Verbal Learning