The role of SPECT brain imaging in assessing psychopathology in the medically ill.

Cerebral single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), a method of functional brain imaging, measures cerebral blood flow and metabolism. This paper describes the imaging procedure and several cases where cerebral SPECT was of use in the differential diagnosis of medically ill patients who also presented with psychopathology. SPECT patterns in cerebrovascular disease, dementia, focal epilepsy, and AIDS are at present the best described and seem to be the most specific. Often changes in regional cerebral blood flow are seen before structural changes become apparent on CT or MRI. Cerebral SPECT can add valuable diagnostic information in assessing psychopathology in the medically ill and can often lead to changes in treatment.