functionalfunctional Brain ImagingBrain Imaging

Dr John ClarksonDr John Clarkson

A brief introduction A brief introduction toto

Computerized Axial Tomography

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Quote: -the brain can look quite normal

anatomically, despite the being quite marked abnormalities of function -

functional functional Brain ImagingBrain Imaging

Proton Emission Tomography

Single Proton Emission Computerized Tomography

functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

functionalfunctional Brain ImagingBrain Imaging NuclearNuclear Medicine studies rely upon injecting substances studies rely upon injecting substances

into the patient’s blood stream which have an affinity for into the patient’s blood stream which have an affinity for the receptor sites the receptor sites ((Neuro-receptorsNeuro-receptors) ) contained within the contained within the cells of the brain (cells of the brain (NeuronsNeurons). ).

* SPECT Scans * SPECT Scans utilize radio-active isotopes in studying utilize radio-active isotopes in studying brain function whilebrain function while PET Scans PET Scans utilize utilize

radio- radio- active labeled glucose molecules. active labeled glucose molecules. These substances are differentially taken up by the brain’s neuro-These substances are differentially taken up by the brain’s neuro-

receptor sites depending on the degree of neural (neuro-transmitter) receptor sites depending on the degree of neural (neuro-transmitter) activity occurring in the different regions of the brain .activity occurring in the different regions of the brain .

SPECT Scans SPECT Scans are available and being used increasingly in Australia are available and being used increasingly in Australia for the investigation of neurological and psychiatric disorders. for the investigation of neurological and psychiatric disorders.

** functional MRI’s do not use Radioactive Isotopes; ** functional MRI’s do not use Radioactive Isotopes; these investigations are very expensive and generally are onlythese investigations are very expensive and generally are only available in research institutes.available in research institutes.

Cerebellum

Inferior-Orbital

(PFC)

OccipitalOccipital LobeLobe

Frontal Lobe

ParietParietalal LobeLobe

functional functional Brain Imaging - Brain Imaging - show how the brain show how the brain actually works !actually works !

Temporal Lobe

functionalfunctional Brain ImagingBrain Imaging

SPECT SCANSSPECT SCANS[Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography]

functional functional Brain ImagingBrain Imaging

functionalfunctional Brain ImagingBrain Imaging

activity

functional Brain ImagingBrain Imaging - a m - a modern SPECT Camera

Brainmatters - Denver, Colorado.

Consultation Room - for discussion of SPECT Scan results with patient and family

Neurological Disorders

functional Brain ImagingBrain Imaging - - SPECT Scan Applications Applications

Psychiatric Disorders

functional Brain ImagingBrain Imaging - - SPECT Scan Applications Applications

f Brain Imaging Brain Imaging A full introductionA full introduction to to understanding & interpreting SPECTunderstanding & interpreting SPECT is available on CD/DVD from this Web siteis available on CD/DVD from this Web site ororby attending the seminar in by attending the seminar in “A Journey through the Brain”“A Journey through the Brain” Series Series

The End Thank you