RESEARCH ARTICLE
Brain SPECT Imaging in Complex Psychiatric Cases: An Evidence-Based, Underutilized Tool
Daniel G Amen*, 1, Manuel Trujillo2, Andrew Newberg3, Kristen Willeumier1, Robert Tarzwell4, Joseph C Wu5, Barry Chaitin5
Article Information
Identifiers and Pagination:
Year: 2011Volume: 5
First Page: 40
Last Page: 48
Publisher ID: TONIJ-5-40
DOI: 10.2174/1874440001105010040
PMID: 21863144
PMCID: PMC3149839
Article History:
Received Date: 20/12/2010Revision Received Date: 28/2/2011
Acceptance Date: 1/4/2011
Electronic publication date: 28/7/2011
Collection year: 2011

open-access license: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.
Abstract
Over the past 20 years brain Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) imaging has developed a substantial, evidence-based foundation and is now recommended by professional societies for numerous indications relevant to psychiatric practice. Unfortunately, SPECT in clinical practice is utilized by only a handful of clinicians. This article presents a rationale for a more widespread use of SPECT in clinical practice for complex cases, and includes seven clinical applications where it may help optimize patient care.