Skip to main content
Log in

Marchiafava-Bignami disease. A case studied by structural and functional brain imaging

  • Original Articles
  • Published:
European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Marchiafava-Bignami disease (MBD) is a rare complication of chronic alcoholism. The clinical features, X-ray, CT and MRI findings are well documented. However, functional brain imaging has not been used in cases of MBD. We used single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to monitor the regional cerebral blood flow in a patient suffering from a acute form of MBD, from which he subsequently recovered. Several abnormalities were found. A more frequent use of functional brain imaging in MBD could improve our knowledge of pathogenesis and prognosis for MBD.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Alavi A, Hirsch LJ (1991) Studies of central nervous system disorders with single-photon emission computed tomography and positron emission tomography: evolution over the past 2 decades. Sem Nucl Med 21:58–81

    Google Scholar 

  2. Barbizet J, Degos JD, Lejeune A, Leroy A (1978) Syndrome de disconnexion interhémisphérique avec dyspraxie diagnostique au cours d'une maladie de Marchiafava-Bignami. Rev Neurol (Paris) 134:781–789

    Google Scholar 

  3. Baron R, Heuser K, Marioth G (1989) Marchiafava-Bignami disease with recovery diagnosed by CT and MRI: demyelinisation affects several CNS structures. J Neurol 236:364–366

    Google Scholar 

  4. Bourrat C, Tomassi M, Bochu M, Kopp N, Malsch S (1984) X-ray scanning in Marchiafava-Bignami disease. Rev Neurol (Paris) 140:426–431

    Google Scholar 

  5. Bracard S, Claude D, Vespignani H, Almeras M, Carsin M, Lambert H, Picard L (1986) Computerized tomography and MRI in Marchiafava-Bignami disease. J Neuroradiol 13:87–94

    Google Scholar 

  6. Brion S, Marchiafava-Bignami syndrome. In: Vinken PJ, Bruyn GW (eds) Handbook of clinical neurology, vol 28. North Holland, Amsterdam, pp 317–329

  7. Castaigne P, Buge A, Escourolle R, Rancurel G (1971) La maladie de Marchiafava-Bignami. Etude anatomo-clinique de dix observations. Rev Neurol (Paris) 125:179–196

    Google Scholar 

  8. Delangre T, Hannequin D, Clavier E, Denis P, Mihout B, Samson M (1986) Maladie de Marchiafava-Bignami d'évolution favorable. Rev Neurol (Paris) 142:933–936

    Google Scholar 

  9. Delay J, Brion S, Escourolle R, Sanchez A (1959) Rapports entre la dégénérescence du corps calleux de Marchiafava-Bignami et la sclérose laminaire corticale de Morel (à propos de 5 observations anatomo-cliniques). Encéphale 4:281–311

    Google Scholar 

  10. D'Antona R, Baron JC, Samson Y, Serdaru M, Viader F, Agid Y, Cambier J (1985) Subcortical dementia. Frontal cortex hypometabolism detected by positron tomography in patients with progressive supranuclear paralysis. Brain 108:785–799

    Google Scholar 

  11. Eckardt MJ, Rohrbaugh JW, Rio De, Martin RP (1990) Positron emission tomography as a technique for studying the chronic effects of alcohol on the human brain. Ann Med 22:341–345

    Google Scholar 

  12. Heepe P, Nemeth L, Brune F, Grant JW, Kleihues P (1988) Marchiafava-Bignami Disease. A Correlative Computed Tomography and Morphological study. Eur Arch Psychiatriy Neurol Sci 237:74–79

    Google Scholar 

  13. Ironside R, Bosanquet FD, McMenemey WH (1961) Central demyelination of the corpus callosum (Marchiafava-Bignami disease). Brain 84:212–230

    Google Scholar 

  14. Kempinsky WH (1958) Experimental study of distant effects of acute focal brain injury. A study of diaschisis. Arch Neurol Psychiatry 79:376–389

    Google Scholar 

  15. Laplane D, Morel-Maroger A (1973) Complications nerveuses de l'alcoolisme. Encycl Med Chir (Paris) Neurologie 17045 g-10

  16. Lechevallier B, Andersson JC, Morin P (1977) Hemispheric disconnection syndrome with a ‘crossed avoiding’ reaction in a case of Marchiafava-Bignami disease. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 40, 483–497

    Google Scholar 

  17. Lopez-Arlandis JM, Burquera JA, Hernandez M, Garcia F, Coret F, Catala J (1990) Hallazgos de la tomografia computerizada en la forma aguda de la enfermedad de Marchiafava-Bignami. Neurologia 5, 62–4

    Google Scholar 

  18. Luaute JP, Bidault E, Sanabria E (1990) Etat athymhormique après accident vasculaire cérébral du postpartum. Apport de l'imagerie cérébrale. Ann Médico Psychol (Paris) 532–538

  19. Marchiafava E, Bignami A (1903) Sopra un alterzione del corpo calloso osservata in sogetti alcoolisti. Riv Patol Nerv Ment 8, 544–549

    Google Scholar 

  20. Mathew RJ, Wilson WH (1990) Anxiety and Cerebral Blood Flow. Am J Psychiatry 147, 7 838–849

    Google Scholar 

  21. Meyer JS, Shinohara Y, Kanda T, Fukuuchi Y, Ericsson AD, Kok NK. Diaschisis resulting from acute unilateral cerebral infarction. Arch Neurol, 1970, 23, 241–247

    Google Scholar 

  22. Meyrignac C, Bokobza M, Cesaro P, Degos JD (1987) Contribution de l'imagerie par résonnance magnétique au diagnostic de la maladie de Marchiafava-Bignami. Presse Médicale 16, 37, 1863–1864

    Google Scholar 

  23. Shiota J, Kawamura M, Hirayama K, Isono O, Makit K (1989) Antemortem diagnosis of Marchiafava-Bignami disease. Clin Neurol 29, 701–706

    Google Scholar 

  24. Tikofsky RS, Heliman RS (1991) Brain single-emission computed tomography: never activation and intervention studies. Sem Nucl Med XXI:40–57

    Google Scholar 

  25. Torvik A, Lindboe CF, Rodge S (1982) Brain lesions in alcoholics. A neuropathological study with clinical correlations. J Neurol Sci 56:233–248

    Google Scholar 

  26. Van Heertum RL, O'Connell RA (1991) Functional brain imaging in the evaluation of psychiatric illness. Sem Nucl Med 2:24–39

    Google Scholar 

  27. Weinberger DR, Berman KF (1988) Speculation on the Meaning of cerebral metabolic hypofrontality in schizophrenia. Schizophr Bull 14:157–167

    Google Scholar 

  28. Wik G, Borg S, Sjorgen L (1988) Positron emission tomography determination of regional cerebral glucose metabolism in alcohol-dependent men and healthy controls using11C-glucose. Acta Psychiatr Scand 78:234–241

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Humbert, T., De Guilhermier, P., Maktouf, C. et al. Marchiafava-Bignami disease. A case studied by structural and functional brain imaging. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Nuerosci 242, 69–71 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02191548

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02191548

Key words

Navigation