SPECT brain scans were carried out in a dark and quiet environment according to our previous study [6] (link). 925 MBq of ethylcysteinate dimer ( 99m TC-ECD, China institute of atomic energy, China) was injected into the antecubital vein. The images were taken by the SPECT scanner (In nia Hawkeye; General Electric Company, USA) after one hour. The images were taken per 6° during rotation of 360° and at a rate of 35s per frame. The data were acquired on a 128×128 matrix.
ROI selection and data analysis were also according to previous studies [6, (link)16] (link). NeuroMatch Software package (GE Medical Systems; Segami Corporation, Columbia, MD, USA) was used for the ROI selection. Four slices of cerebral hemisphere were selected on orbitomeatal line (OML) +55mm, +58mm, +61mm, and +64mm.Six pairs of sphenoid mirrored ROIs over cortical gray matter were drawn at each slice of cerebral hemisphere. Four middle ROIs corresponding to the MCA territory were selected, and the mean value of four slices in each ROI was used for data analysis. However, mirrored ROIs were also drawn in one slice of cerebellar hemisphere (OML+15mm) for normalization of cerebral hemodynamic parameters.
ROI selection and data analysis were also according to previous studies [6, (link)16] (link). NeuroMatch Software package (GE Medical Systems; Segami Corporation, Columbia, MD, USA) was used for the ROI selection. Four slices of cerebral hemisphere were selected on orbitomeatal line (OML) +55mm, +58mm, +61mm, and +64mm.Six pairs of sphenoid mirrored ROIs over cortical gray matter were drawn at each slice of cerebral hemisphere. Four middle ROIs corresponding to the MCA territory were selected, and the mean value of four slices in each ROI was used for data analysis. However, mirrored ROIs were also drawn in one slice of cerebellar hemisphere (OML+15mm) for normalization of cerebral hemodynamic parameters.