Quantitative SPECT imaging in ADHD patients

Tung Phung, Kristina Lawrence, Joe Annibali, Ancha Baranova, Nadine Kabbani

This is a collaborative project between

School of Systems Biology, College of Science, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

Krasnow Institute, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

Amen Clinic, Reston, VA

Brain imaging techniques influence the understanding of the human brain. There are several techniques of this kind that can be used to assess the brains structure and function.  One such nuclear medicine technique is single photon emission computed tomography [SPECT], which can quantify brain function through an assessment of the regional cerebral blood flow. In the human brain, the dopaminergic neurotransmitter system has been implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders, such as ADHD. In this study, we will use pre-existing data obtained from patients who underwent brain SPECT imaging in the Amen clinic and who also have a clinical diagnosis of ADHD. We will compare activity in the prefrontal cortex and other brain areas of the patients while they concentrate, both ADHD patients and non-ADHD controls will be included. We will also study influence of the tobacco smoking on the SPECT imaging parameters.