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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jhj on December 12, 2010, at 23:40:50
HiI was diagnosed with Dysthymia, GAD, Social Phobia and Avoidant Personality Disorder in 2004. Since then, I have tried almost all drugs except MAOIs (Neither available nor prescribed in my country). I have had couple of courses of CBT and also, had six bilateral ECTs last year. But nothing has worked at all. Now, My doctor has recommended that I should get MRI and PET scan of my Brain done. Is it worthwhile to go for them? Can psychological problems be seen in MRI, PET or SPECT?
Thanks
Jhj
Posted by Phillipa on December 12, 2010, at 23:54:34
In reply to MRI, PET and SPECT? worthwhile?, posted by jhj on December 12, 2010, at 23:40:50
MRI's would show tumors or diseases such as MS. Haven't had a pet scan Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on December 13, 2010, at 0:00:22
In reply to MRI, PET and SPECT? worthwhile?, posted by jhj on December 12, 2010, at 23:40:50
Here's a link hope it works on MRI"S of brain. Phillipa
Posted by jhj on December 13, 2010, at 6:27:18
In reply to Re: MRI, PET and SPECT? worthwhile? » jhj, posted by Phillipa on December 12, 2010, at 23:54:34
Hi PhillipaThanks for your response.
Did your MRI show anything abnormal?
Thanks
Jatin
Posted by Phillipa on December 13, 2010, at 19:31:25
In reply to Re: MRI, PET and SPECT? worthwhile? » Phillipa, posted by jhj on December 13, 2010, at 6:27:18
Just that I have a small microadenoma of pituitary gland. Phillipa
Posted by jhj on December 16, 2010, at 2:28:37
In reply to Re: MRI, PET and SPECT? worthwhile? » jhj, posted by Phillipa on December 13, 2010, at 19:31:25
HiCan PET scan be used to confirm diagnosis of MDD? Some of my close relatives have doubts about my illness. They want evidence of the same.
Thanks in Advance.
Regards,
Jatin
Posted by SLS on December 16, 2010, at 5:15:06
In reply to Can PET scan confirm Depression Diangosis?, posted by jhj on December 16, 2010, at 2:28:37
>
> Hi
>
> Can PET scan be used to confirm diagnosis of MDD? Some of my close relatives have doubts about my illness. They want evidence of the same.
>
> Thanks in Advance.
>
> Regards,
> JatinHi Jatin.
Yes. PET scans can render images of abnormal brain activity consistent with mood disorders. However, it is very expensive, and I don't know the reliability with which it catches positives (sensitivity) and rejects negatives (selectivity). fMRI or SPECT imaging is being used by some doctors, of which Daniel G. Amen, MD is most notable for with his clinical centers. However, there are people who debate its usefulness. I really haven't looked into it.
PET scans are probably more accurate and potentially have a greater scope of assays that it is capable of producing compared to other forms of imaging. There is such a thing a composite of PET and MRI which can better render structure. My brain looked like an ice rink with a PET scan - all blue and shockingly inactive.
- Scott
Posted by jhj on December 16, 2010, at 5:59:37
In reply to Re: Can PET scan confirm Depression Diangosis? » jhj, posted by SLS on December 16, 2010, at 5:15:06
Hi Scott.Thanks for your reply. I read your posts and you are very well informed. PET here (I am in india) is not very expensive. It costs around Rs. 16000 (350$ roughly) and MRI costs Rs. 4500 (100$ roughly).
Thanks again,
Jatin
Posted by SLS on December 16, 2010, at 7:07:09
In reply to Re: Can PET scan confirm Depression Diangosis? » SLS, posted by jhj on December 16, 2010, at 5:59:37
>
> Hi Scott.
>
> Thanks for your reply. I read your posts and you are very well informed. PET here (I am in india) is not very expensive. It costs around Rs. 16000 (350$ roughly) and MRI costs Rs. 4500 (100$ roughly).That sounds dirt-cheap. I haven't priced having another PET done. It has been 15 years since my last one.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on December 16, 2010, at 19:43:02
In reply to Re: Can PET scan confirm Depression Diangosis? » jhj, posted by SLS on December 16, 2010, at 7:07:09
Scott what did yours mean? Seriously? Phillipa
Posted by jhj on December 23, 2010, at 3:06:24
In reply to Re: Can PET scan confirm Depression Diangosis? » jhj, posted by SLS on December 16, 2010, at 7:07:09
Can we ask Radiologist to give us soft or hard copy of our PET scan image? Also, who will interpret the results? Radiologist or Psychiatrist/Neurologist?
Thanks
Jatin
Posted by SLS on December 23, 2010, at 3:21:32
In reply to Re: Can PET scan confirm Depression Diangosis? » SLS, posted by jhj on December 23, 2010, at 3:06:24
>
>
> Can we ask Radiologist to give us soft or hard copy of our PET scan image? Also, who will interpret the results? Radiologist or Psychiatrist/Neurologist?I don't know. I had several PET scans in 1992-1993 at the NIH as a research patient. I guess that makes me one of the first to be imaged this way. However, I have no idea how brain PET scans are performed today.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on December 23, 2010, at 3:29:06
In reply to Re: Can PET scan confirm Depression Diangosis? » SLS, posted by Phillipa on December 16, 2010, at 19:43:02
> Scott what did yours mean? Seriously? Phillipa
I had fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET scans that revealed hypoactivity nearly globally in my cerebral cortex. Scary. Seriously.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/medical/IM00356
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on December 23, 2010, at 19:42:51
In reply to Re: Can PET scan confirm Depression Diangosis? » Phillipa, posted by SLS on December 23, 2010, at 3:29:06
Scott since so long ago I feel you should get another done. Must be better now and maybe could lead to a clue as to your TRD? Phillipa
Posted by SLS on December 24, 2010, at 3:45:00
In reply to Re: Can PET scan confirm Depression Diangosis? » SLS, posted by Phillipa on December 23, 2010, at 19:42:51
> Scott since so long ago I feel you should get another done. Must be better now and maybe could lead to a clue as to your TRD? Phillipa
Great idea. I'll give it some thought. I would need to know in advance what salient findings are possible with current PET imaging. Another pretty blue picture without clinical application is worthless.
Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on December 24, 2010, at 23:58:44
In reply to Re: Can PET scan confirm Depression Diangosis? » Phillipa, posted by SLS on December 24, 2010, at 3:45:00
First Merry Christmas to you. Also have you noticed seems quite a few are mentioning three days of feeling better on a med and some failure. I seriously think there is something to this. As for the Pet Scans too bad you didn't have one prior to that med goof by that doc. For comparisons. I wonder if that would have shed some light? Phillipa
Posted by texasgal on January 3, 2011, at 17:27:48
In reply to Re: Can PET scan confirm Depression Diangosis? » SLS, posted by Phillipa on December 24, 2010, at 23:58:44
I would like to get a PET scan prior to getting ECT: a) to see if it helps b) to see if it shows damage (if it can do that?).
To answer the original poster's question: here's a picture of a depressed brain vs. a normal brain courtesy of Mayo clinic:
Posted by jhj on January 4, 2011, at 4:47:24
In reply to Re: Can PET scan confirm Depression Diangosis?, posted by texasgal on January 3, 2011, at 17:27:48
> I would like to get a PET scan prior to getting ECT: a) to see if it helps b) to see if it shows damage (if it can do that?).
>
> To answer the original poster's question: here's a picture of a depressed brain vs. a normal brain courtesy of Mayo clinic:
>
> http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/medical/IM00356Hi
Thanks for the link. I want to know how prior PET scan can reveal whether ECT will help you or not.
Posted by texasgal on January 7, 2011, at 23:50:45
In reply to Re: Can PET scan confirm Depression Diangosis? » texasgal, posted by jhj on January 4, 2011, at 4:47:24
> > I would like to get a PET scan prior to getting ECT: a) to see if it helps b) to see if it shows damage (if it can do that?).
> >
> > To answer the original poster's question: here's a picture of a depressed brain vs. a normal brain courtesy of Mayo clinic:
> >
> > http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/medical/IM00356
>
> Hi
>
> Thanks for the link. I want to know how prior PET scan can reveal whether ECT will help you or not.
>
>
>Unfortunately I don't think we can expect it to do that. Unless there are studies that show definitively that certain types of scans predict good responders...which I doubt there are. There seem to be too many variables for a study to be that cut and dry.
( Not that it makes a difference but after reading about ECT more and more, I've decided against. I'm desperate but the odds just aren't worth the gamble for me. )
This is the end of the thread.
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