The need for brain imaging in clinical psychiatry (original) (raw)

Neuroimaging in Psychiatry: A Review of the Background and Current Trends

Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry, 2015

This paper offers a selective literature review of neuroimaging in psychiatry, with the goal of offering a background and a summary of current trends. While not exhaustive, numerous publications are cited in an attempt to provide a reasonable cross-section of research activity in the field of brain imaging in psychiatry and how to overcome the challenges in our setting. There are two different types of neuroimaging of value in clinical psychiatry, namely: structural neuroimaging techniques (e.g., CT, MRI) which provide static images of the skull, and brain, and funnctional neuroimaging techniques (e.g., single photon emission CT [SPECT], positron emission tomography [PET], functional MRI [fMRI], electroencephalography [EEG], magnetoencephalography [MEG]) which provide measures that are directly (MEG, EEG) or indirectly (SPECT, PET, fMRI) related to brain activity. Although neuroimaging is making increasing contributions to mul t iple aspects of clinical psychiatry, including ...

A Review of Imaging in Psychiatry

The Open Medical Imaging Journal, 2009

The past decade has seen significant advances in imaging techniques used to measure structure and function in the human brain and many of these have direct relevance to psychiatry. Psychiatric disorders clearly pertain to brain function, however the underlying biology of these putative dysfunctions remains obscure. From a research perspective integrated use of novel imaging techniques in conjunction with clinical assessments now affords an opportunity to advance our understanding of the pathophysiology of psychiatric conditions by allowing the in vivo investigation of abnormalities of brain function as they relate to changes in cognition, mood and behaviour. Whilst most of these imaging techniques are still very much entrenched in the research domain, it is important that clinicians understand the benefits of these new technologies while also appreciating their limitations. These imaging techniques are constantly evolving and hold significant potential to one day provide clinical insights that inform diagnosis and management.

Neuroimaging and Psychiatric disorders: a literature review

Indian Journal of Mental Health 2023; 10(2), 2024

The aim of this review is to estimate the rate of organic brain abnormalities in patients who present with psychiatric disorders. The literature overview was composed using database including Research Gate, Psyc Info, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar to conduct a thorough search. There are a variety of neuroimaging techniques that can provide insight into the pathophysiology, and abnormalities of the brain in patients with psychiatric disorders. Computed tomography scans show mild enlargement of the ventricles and sulci, as well as reversed asymmetry of the Sylvian fissure. A Magnetic resonance imaging study generally shows grey matter reduction, primarily in the frontal and temporal limbic regions, along with gross abnormalities of the brain like deviated sulcogyral patterns. There is a reduction in fractional anisotropy and white matter in diffusion tensor imaging scan, and in positron emission tomography studies, there is a reduction in dopamine transporter density. Neuroimaging is a technique that studies the structure and function of the nervous system using imaging technology, where images of the brain are obtained noninvasively. The Psychiatric disorders are also associated with abnormalities in the nervous system so neuroimaging plays an important role in psychiatric disorders. We have discussed the importance of neuroimaging in the workup and evaluation of psychiatric disorders. This review provides physicians with primary knowledge on the neurobiology of psychosis based on a collection of in vivo brain imaging studies, as well as insight into future operations in neuroimaging.

Brain imaging: Applications in psychiatry

Behavioral Sciences & the Law, 1987

Various brain imaging techniques have become available in the past decade. These indude techniques to evaluate brain structure, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, and techniques to assess func

Neuroimaging in psychiatry: an update

Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 2006

The introduction of neuroimaging techniques in the 1960s has revolutionized the study of the biology of psychiatric disorders with implications for psychiatric practice. These comprise structural (computerized axial tomography, magnetic resonance imaging) and functional (including neurochemical/neuropharmacological techniques such as single-photon emission computerized tomography, positron emission tomography, functional magnetic resonance imaging, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy) techniques. As a result, we now have a better understanding of the morbid anatomy, pathophysiology, and chemical pathology of organic brain disease, schizophrenia, addictions, and affective disorders. This selective review will focus on recent advances in the use and application of neuroimaging techniques in the study of addictions, schizophrenia, and depression. Reference will be made to studies conducted in the United Arab Emirates on Arab patients with depression, schizophrenia, and alcohol dependence. The refinement of these techniques and their application in the study of psychiatric disorders will redefine these disorders, promising their deconstruction and the development of novel and more specific treatments.

Neuroimaging tests for clinical psychiatry: Are we there yet?

Journal of psychiatry & neuroscience : JPN, 2017

Biomarkers index normal and abnormal biological processes, sometimes identifying the response potential of particular treatments. Though widely used in much of medicine, none has proven sufficiently robust to enter clinical practice in psych iatry. 1,2 And yet, recent high-quality neuroimaging studies give confidence that this is not an unattainable goal. Here's why. Neural fingerprinting There is now replicated evidence of neural "fingerprints." These functional connectivity networks are unique to the individual and consistent across testing conditions. 3,4 In the largest of these studies, with nearly 800 participants tested between the ages of 8 and 22 years, networks stabilized earlier in female than in male participants and earlier in healthy adolescents than psychologically troubled ones. 4 Individual differences in these "fingerprints" show evidence of being shaped by early life experiences 5,6 and of corresponding to cognitive-affective traits. 6,7