Cerebral Spectrum: what is it and how does this neuroimaging method work?

Neurological evaluations are diverse. There is a wide range of methods that can be used to determine if our brain is functioning in a conserved way, or if, on the contrary, there is some abnormality.

The technique called brain spect It is a method which allows to see images referring to the functioning of specific parts of the brain by means of substances that are injected into the subject's body.

In this article we will review the main characteristics of this evaluation technique, we will see in which cases it is applicable and its contribution in the pharmacological field.

• Related article: "The 5 main technologies for the study of the brain"

What is the brain spectrum? Characteristics

The cerebral spectrum is a neurological evaluation tool that consists mainly of injecting a substance intravenously, which adheres to specific brain structures depending on their chemical composition, and allows the evaluator to observe how that particular area is functioning.

This is possible thanks to the substance injected into the body has a detection mechanism by means of radioactive isotopes

, which are added to the patient's body intravenously. Prior to this, a gamma radiation source must be applied to the subject. Once said substance is in the body of the evaluated person, it mixes with his blood until it reaches the brain, and that is where it adheres to the structure that the specialist needs to evaluate. As we have mentioned before, the chemical composition of the substance will be what determines which specific structure in the brain it adheres to.

This method, also known as single photon emission computed tomography, It is extremely practical to do, taking into account that it does not need any complex preparation. It is only the application of gamma radiation to the patient to later perform the intravenous injection in the body. Then the substance is in charge of taking the tour and showing the areas of interest

The estimated duration of this method is approximately one hour, calculating the entire aseptic process prior to application.

What does it evaluate?

Basically, there are three aspects that this test allows to evaluate. This is the study of cerebral perfusion of tumor viability and brain receptors.

1. brain perfusion

It is evaluated by means of radioisotopes, which Depending on the level of blood flow of the patient, they will be fixed in the brain tissue. This procedure provides significant information on vascular pathologies that are difficult to detect with other tests.

Apart from that, it is also effective to indirectly show how the neurons are active. This aspect is of great importance in the field of psychiatry.

2. tumor viability

It is done using tracers that do not perforate the network of blood vessels, which remains intact. These tracers are actively incorporated into the subject's body as potassium analogs.

The importance of this evaluation lies in determine tumor conditions or natural changes in the body as a result of a surgical intervention.

3. Neuro-receptors

Finally, this analysis allows to evaluate the density and distribution of the different receptors that the Central Nervous System (CNS) possesses. It is achieved thanks to emitting isotopes specially marked for the procedure.

This aspect is the most recent in terms of brain spectrum evaluations. Despite this, it has shown a fairly good degree of efficiency when required.

• You may be interested in: "Parts of the Nervous System: functions and anatomical structures"

In which cases does it apply?

This form of evaluation has been shown to be extremely useful in a wide variety of cases; It is even capable of detecting abnormalities at the neurological and psychiatric level that other techniques overlook.

Some of its most frequent uses are in cases where it is necessary to assess the scope of a cerebrovascular disease (CVD), Parkinson's disease, dementias in all its forms, and epilepsy. In these evaluations, the cerebral spect is extremely effective. It is also capable of Recognize areas of the brain with below-normal blood supply, which translates into a very effective form of prevention for cerebrovascular disease.

Regarding epilepsy, this evaluation technique can capture the irritative focus during the seizure, which helps to know exactly which brain area is affected and can proceed with the intervention necessary.

As far as psychiatric illnesses are concerned, it is of great help to establish the differential diagnosis between disorders, and it clarifies to a great extent when it is about a particular dementia. It also provides information on the recognition of multiple more complex neuropsychiatric pathologies.

Contributions to pharmacology

In the field of pharmacology, the brain spectrum has been very useful, helping to determine which drugs are most efficient at the time of their iteration with the nervous system, especially neurotransmitter inhibitor drugs.

Bearing in mind that this technique makes it possible to clearly see how the drug travels through the body, the level of blockage towards a certain substance and how long its effect can last before a new one is necessary dose.

Bibliographic references:

• Dougall NJ, Bruggink S, Ebmeier KP (2004). "Systematic review of the diagnostic accuracy of 99mTc-HMPAO-SPECT in dementia". Am J Geriatric Psychiatry. 12 (6): 554 - 570.
• Scuffham J. W. (2012). A CdTe detector for hyperspectral SPECT imaging. Journal of Instrumentation. IOP Journal of Instrumentation. 7: P08027