Abstract
Cortical function in normal and pathologic neurologic states is largely influenced
by the activity of the neurovascular unit. Hybrid technologies that combine positron
emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) offer a chance for simultaneous
noninvasive evaluation of cortical glucose consumption, blood flow, and cerebrovascular
reactivity. We present differing PET/MRI results for two pediatric patients undergoing
evaluation for medically refractory seizures, interpreted in the context of neurovascular
unit behavior, suggesting the presence of ultrastructural changes at the level of
the blood brain barrier in various epilepsy disorders.
Keywords
positron emission tomography - PET-MRI - epilepsy - neurovascular unit - neurometabolic
diseases - perfusion - cerebrovascular reactivity