SINGLE-PHOTON EMISSION COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY IN PSYCHIATRY - CURRENT PERSPECTIVES

Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is a widely availab le neuroimaging technique for the three-dimensional assessment of regi onal cerebral blood flow. The clinical utility of SPECT in neuropsychi atry is well established, and research devoted to its use in primary p sychiatric disorders has been gaining momentum. In this review recent developments in SPECT neuroimaging are described, including the utilit y of SPECT in the differential diagnosis of the dementias and other ne uropsychiatric conditions; SPECT studies of patients with affective di sorders, at baseline and after treatment; and SPECT studies utilizing innovative techniques such as neuroreceptor imaging and activation str ategies. Advances in SPECT research methodology and study design that may contribute to clarifying the pathophysiology of psychiatric disord ers are examined.