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Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr 2000; 68(8): 352-356
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-11803
ÜBERSICHT
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Das EEG als Indikator des cholinergen Defizits bei der Alzheimerschen Krankheit

G. Adler
  • Altentagesklinik am Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit, Mannheim (Direktor: Prof. Dr. Dr. F. A. Henn)
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Publikationsverlauf

Publikationsdatum:
31. Dezember 2000 (online)

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Zusammenfassung:

Das EEG ist eng mit der Aktivität des cholinergen Systems verbunden. Die aszendierenden cholinergen Projektionen des Nucleus basalis Meynert erhöhen die Erregbarkeit kortikaler Neurone. Andererseits führt eine cholinerge Deafferenzierung des Kortex zu einer Zunahme langsamer EEG-Aktivität. Bei der Alzheimerschen Krankheit besteht typischerweise ein cholinerges Defizit. Dem entsprechen charakteristische EEG-Veränderungen, insbesondere eine Zunahme der Aktivität in den langsamen Frequenzbändern. Das Ausmaß der EEG-Veränderungen nimmt mit dem Fortschreiten der Erkrankung zu. Es korreliert mit der klinischen Schwere des Krankheitsbildes, dem neuropsychologischen Leistungsvermögen, der zerebralen Durchblutung, der Sauerstoff-Utilisation und dem Ausmaß der histopathologischen Veränderungen. EEG-Veränderungen stellen bei der Alzheimerschen Krankheit ein wertvolles diagnostisches Hilfsmittel dar. Möglicherweise sind sie auch zur Frühdiagnostik geeignet und ermöglichen eine Prädiktion der Wirksamkeit cholinerger Medikamente.

The EEG as Indicator of the Cholinergic Deficit in Alzheimer's Disease:

There are tight relationships between the EEG and the activity of the cholinergic system. The excitability of cortical neurons is increased by the ascending cholinergic projections of the nucleus basalis of Meynert. Cholinergic deafferentiation of the cortex leads to an increase of slow-wave EEG activity. Cholinergic deficit is a typical feature of Alzheimer's disease. It is goes along with characteristic EEG alterations, mainly increased activity in the slow frequency bands. The amount of EEG alterations increases as the disease progresses. It is correlated with the severity of symptoms, neuropsychological performance, cerebral perfusion, cerebral glucose utilization and the extent of histopathological changes. EEG alterations are a valuable diagnostic tool in Alzheimer's disease. They may be suited for early diagnosis and may allow the prediction of the therapeutic response to cholinergic drugs.

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Priv.-Doz. Dr. G. Adler

Altentagesklinik
Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit

J5
68159 Mannheim

eMail: E-mail: adler@as200.zi-mannheim.de

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