Brain In The News

Big News About Brain SPECT Scans

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September 21, 2009

By Daniel G. Amen, MD      

A new study out of Germany represents a major advance in neuroimaging, and in particular highlights the effectiveness of brain SPECT imaging in helping predict treatment response to antidepressant medication. SPECT is the study we use here at the Amen Clinics. Several previous studies have concluded that SPECT scans are helpful in diagnosing brain disorders, such as depression. But this trial is one of the first and largest to examine SPECT's ability to predict whether or not a patient with depression will respond to a particular antidepressant. The study, which appeared in the prestigious journal _Psychiatry Research_, involved nearly 100 participants with major depression. Their brains were scanned at the outset of the study and again four weeks later after treatment with an antidepressant. The research team concluded that SPECT is indeed highly effective in predicting treatment response. When the prefrontal cortex works too hard, the medication Celexa was effective in calming it down and treating the depression. When the prefrontal cortex was normal or low in activity, Celexa was not helpful. These findings are very consistent with the literature from the QEEG literature as well. I have noticed this exact same effect for nearly 18 years since I began using SPECT scans in my practice in 1991. The most important part of brain imaging is being able to predict treatment response. At the Amen Clinics, brain imaging helps us zero in on the best treatments for our patients, whether they have depression, ADD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or any other brain problem. To your brain health, Daniel

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