Imaging that Distinguishes Dementia from Depression

Brain SPECT Scans
Single proton emission computed tomography (SPECT) relies on injected gamma ray-emitting radioisotopes which results in true 3-D images of the brain. This piece reports a study that shows differences in blood flow that differentiate Alzheimer’s disease from depression based on SPECT imaging. “. . . .researchers found that people with cognitive disorders had reduced blood flow in multiple brain areas compared to those with depression, particularly in the hippocampus, temporal, and parietal lobes. They also found that SPECT could distinguish depression from CDs with 86 percent accuracy. In addition, brain SPECT imaging showed the ability to distinguish depression or dementia in people with both with 83 percent accuracy.” The pictures look persuasive, but they may only show a diminished AD brain from an otherwise normal one. The controversial psychiatrist Daniel G. Amen, M.D. was the lead author of the study. MORE
Image Credit: Wikimedia.commons