Is the use of functional brain imaging with SPECT accepted in the medical community?
Both the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Society of Nuclear Medicine (SNM) endorse the use of SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) brain imaging in the evaluation of cerebrovascular disease and stroke, evaluation of dementia and suspected Alzheimer’s disease, pre-surgical localization of epileptic foci, diagnostic evaluation of encephalitis and evaluation of suspected brain trauma. Research has also demonstrated regional blood flow patterns associated with other neurological disorders and with exposure to neurotoxins, hypoxia, and substances of abuse. While functional brain imaging is not considered an exact science for diagnosing psychiatric conditions, there are hundreds of published, peer-reviewed research studies that utilize SPECT for the evaluation of these conditions. If interested, please contact our clinical staff for further information.
