The History of SPECT Imaging
The history of brain SPECT imaging began with the first SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) imaging device developed in the early 1960's by David Edwards and Roy Kuhl. This rather crude camera consisted of several sodium iodide photon detectors that were arranged in a rectangular position around a patient's head. It was known to users of that era as the MARK IV camera.
The first commercial applications of SPECT imaging were similar to the MARK IV but utilized 32 photon detectors. Even though this camera had more detectors, images were frequently distorted and not very useful in assisting clinicians in diagnosing a patient's medical problem. Subsequently, SPECT imaging technology was slow to gain universal acceptance within the medical community. It was not until advancements in nuclear imaging technology in the 1980's and 1990's that SPECT began to show promise as a diagnostic tool in the clinical environment.
Today, SPECT imaging is recognized as one of the best imaging modalities to evaluate brain function (rCBF) and is frequently used in the diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury, Alzheimer's Disease and other Dementias, Stroke, Toxic Encephalopathy and is being increasingly used as a diagnostic tool ADD/ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and other psychiatric conditions.
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