Brain SPECT Imaging Process
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Brain SPECT imaging requires the use of a radioisotope (Tc99 HMPAO), which is injected into the patient via a small catheter I.V. The standard adult dose is 25 mCi and the dose for children is based on weight. The isotope is absorbed into the patient’s brain within 2 to 3 minutes of injection and temporarily fixed to areas of the brain proportional to the perfusion (blood flow). The general principle is that areas with greater activity and perfusion will receive more isotopic labeling, and visa-versa. During the imaging process (40 minutes after injection), the isotope emits gamma rays which are detected by the brain SPECT gamma camera. The data from the camera is processed by the nuclear technologist and is sent to the CereScan reading physician for interpretation.
Research has repeatedly demonstrated that specific patterns of brain perfusion correlate with specific neurological and psychiatric conditions. CereScan has an extensive library of peer-reviewed and published literature that supports the use of brain SPECT imaging as an important diagnostic tool for brain-based disorders.
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