Question: You often talk about using brain SPECT scans in your practice. What are some of the benefits of having your brain scanned?
Dr. Amen's Answer:
A SPECT scan helps develop a deeper understanding of patients’ problems, resulting in reduced shame, guilt, stigma, and self-loathing. This can promote self-forgiveness, often the first step in healing. Patients can see that their problems are, at least in part, medical and physical.
A scan allows patients to see a physical representation of their problems that is accurate and reliable, and helps to increase compliance — pictures are powerful. They help families understand when things, such as permanent brain damage from an injury, will not get better, so that they can better accept the condition and provide accordingly.
Getting a scan shows patients how treatments have improved or worsened brain function. Scans help motivate abusive spouses to follow medication protocols by showing that there is a physical abnormality contributing to their problems. A SPECT scan is useful for cancer patients suffering with a “chemotherapy toxic brain.” It gives them insight into their cognitive struggles and also helps their doctors see the neurophysiologic and emotional effects of having cancer and its treatment.
A scan can help take modern psychopharmacology from mystery and unknown consequences to reality and more predictable outcomes. They allow patients to understand why specific treatments are indicated, which medications are likely to be most helpful, and what other interventions may be indicated.
Finally, a SPECT scan shows substance abusers the damage they have done to their own brain, thus helping to decrease denial, provide motivation for treatment, and support perseverance in sobriety.
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