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.
poster:Johnturner77
thread:38540
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000619/msgs/38681.html