Identifying Disorders: Introduction

To identify many neurological problems and diseases, doctors and psychologists often use a type of brain-mapping system. Before demonstrating how brainmaps can help professionals, I will give you an overview of all types of neural imaging. This is the first post of "Identifying Disorders," in which I will demonstrate how neural imaging can identify various disorders. There are two specific types of brain mapping: structural and functional. 

Structural mapping can include MRI's, Cranial Ct Scans, etc. These maps show the structure of bones in the skull and surface of the brain. They are extremely useful when trying to identify structural problems, such as a skull fracture, brain tissue damage, etc. However, they give no insight into the actual functioning of the brain, so are not much help when identifying purely neurological problems.

MRI which shows the structure of the brain.

Functional mapping is very different. While it may not help identify structural problems, this form of imaging identifies issues with the way the brain is operating. A brain may be structurally sound, but could be operating differently from the normal. The two most popular types of functional mapping are SPECT scans and QEEG maps.

SPECT scans are nuclear image tests. Radioactive materials are injected into the patient's blood stream, and blood flow throughout the body is analyzed. This creates a color coded 3-D image of the region in question, allowing doctors to see where blood flow is irregular. SPECT scans are used for all parts of the body, however, in the brain, they can be as effective as QEEG maps. The blood flow in different parts of the brain give insight into whether that region is functioning properly or not. Irregular blood flow could indicate disorders or damage.

SPECT scan showing levels of blood flow

Analyzing SPECT scans (activity = blood flow)

Insufficient/Excessive blood flow to areas of the brain can cause performance problems in an individual. For example, excessive blood flow to the frontal lobes may cause hyperactivity and impulsiveness, while insufficient blood flow may cause inattentiveness and sluggish decisiveness.

QEEG maps are the images to which I have been referring to throughout my project. This method measures brainwave activity to identify problems. For an example of a QEEG, please see my previous posts.

Brainwaves and blood flow are actually very closely related. More fast wave activity in a certain region of the brain causes more blood flow. More slow wave activity causes less blood flow to that region. To make it simpler to understand in later posts, I have created a set of rules.

Fast waves: Beta
Resting frequency waves: Alpha
Slow Waves: Theta, Delta

Increased Beta / Decreased Beta = More blood flow / Less blood flow
Increased Alpha / Decreased Alpha = blood flow / blood flow
Increased Theta / Decreased Theta = Less blood flow / More blood flow.

So actually, the two types of brainmaps can be used together to create an even more accurate report. However, very few patients choose this route, as it is very pricey. So if SPECT scans can identify so many problems, why aren't they a popular method of disorder treatment? Firstly, they only identify the problems. SPECT scans only are used for diagnosis and offer no paired form of treatment. Secondly, they use radiation to measure blood flow, so health risks are abundant, especially in children, the elderly, and pregnant women. QEEG reports measure the various brainwaves, so they can be used in accordance with neurofeedback therapy treatment. In addition they are significantly less expensive ($400- $600) than SPECT scans ($1,200).  But I will also be referring to blood flow in the next posts, as it is an important concept to understand how disorders affect the brain.