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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Johnturner77 on June 28, 2000, at 8:37:16
I skimmed through a book by a Daniel Amen about ADD. In it he says that it is possible to diagnose many brain disorders using Single Photon Emission Computer Tomagraphy. He says these brain scans show a very specific pattern for ADD. When a ADD person concentrates, they show less frontal lobe activity rather than more. He says telling these kind of people to just try harder actually makes the problem worse. He says that it is often possible to tell why a child has failed to respond to Ritalin. A child may seem to be ADD but actually show a brain scan that is like OCD. He gave examples where these children responded instead to Prozac.
He says OCD, Anxiety, Depression,ADD or combos of these all have characteristic brain scans. This makes it possible to narrow down the meds that will likely work.
I know advocates are usually enthusiasts. Maybe its not as cut and dried. Has anyone out there had experience with this kind of scan? It would be nice to have another objective tool to narrow down the diagnoses. Its still too much like going to the witch doctor....
Posted by stjames on June 28, 2000, at 12:25:35
In reply to S.P.E.C.T. scans as Diagnostic for D,ADD,OCD etc?, posted by Johnturner77 on June 28, 2000, at 8:37:16
S.P.E.C.T. scans are to expensive for HMO's to use as a diagnostic tool for these conditions.james
Posted by lizELS on June 28, 2000, at 13:37:03
In reply to Re: S.P.E.C.T. scans as Diagnostic for D,ADD,OCD etc?, posted by stjames on June 28, 2000, at 12:25:35
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> S.P.E.C.T. scans are to expensive for HMO's to use as a diagnostic tool for these conditions.
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> jamesDo you know where, besides the Bay area, one can get this test? My doctor has suggested it, but it would mean a long trip. About what does it cost, if you know? Thanks
Posted by noa on June 28, 2000, at 15:30:31
In reply to S.P.E.C.T. scans as Diagnostic for D,ADD,OCD etc?, posted by Johnturner77 on June 28, 2000, at 8:37:16
I have read the Amen book, too. But my understanding from other researchers in this area, is that the scanning technology is only useful at this point in identifying statistical GROUP differences between ADD and non-ADD populations, and not as a diagnostic tool.
Posted by Johnturner77 on June 29, 2000, at 8:29:17
In reply to Re: S.P.E.C.T. scans as Diagnostic for D,ADD,OCD etc?, posted by noa on June 28, 2000, at 15:30:31
> I have read the Amen book, too. But my understanding from other researchers in this area, is that the scanning technology is only useful at this point in identifying statistical GROUP differences between ADD and non-ADD populations, and not as a diagnostic tool.
Probably right, but Amen seems to imply that he has used it quite a bit for diagnostics. I suspect that a lot of scans aren't clear cut.
amen says that a "three head" scanner is required to get sufficient resolution. Almost as important would be the test protocol. In the case of ADD, it seems to be a kind of differential diagnosis, ie. one scan during concentration and another in a resting state. If someone is interested, contacting Dr Amen's clinic, seems a logical starting place. He does have a web site BTW.
It may be too expensive for HMO's but so are long trials of ineffective meds. I suspect in most cases a careful workup can take the place of a scan. Still, it is possible to miss significant symptoms. Dr Amen mentions a case where the obsessive traits of a child didn't get mentioned until the scan showed the diagnosis. The mother was obsessive herself and didn't think the traits were remarkable.
This is the end of the thread.
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