The central focus of brain imaging research in psychiatry has been the elucidation of the brain mechanisms that underlie major psychiatric illness. With the advent of computer-based imaging modalities in 1970s, it became possible to apply quantitative methods to investigate whether patients with different psychiatric disorders could be shown to differ in brain tissue and function. In vivo measurement is afforded by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examining neuroanatomy through structural MRI (sMRI), connectivity through diffusion tensor imaging, and neurochemistry through Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. Magnetic resonance also enables examination of brain physiology using fMRI methods. Other functional neuroimaging methods include Positron Emission Tomography, which enables measurement of local cerebral glucose metabolism, blood flow, and receptor function. Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography can also be used to measure cerebral perfusion and receptor function. Although psychiatric illnesses are typically identified through behavioral observation, these illnesses are closely associated with anomalous brain structure. Advances in neuroimaging have left little doubt that particular diseases preferentially disturb specific neuroanatomic structures. Furthermore, the distribution of structural and functional anomalies seemingly reflects the underlying pathology, often dissociating illnesses. Importantly, emergent findings from neuroimaging studies promise to deconstruct present diagnostic entities into new functional entities with implication for their treatment.
NEUROIMAGING IN PSYCHIATRY
ROCCA, Paola;BOGETTO, Filippo
2010-01-01
Abstract
The central focus of brain imaging research in psychiatry has been the elucidation of the brain mechanisms that underlie major psychiatric illness. With the advent of computer-based imaging modalities in 1970s, it became possible to apply quantitative methods to investigate whether patients with different psychiatric disorders could be shown to differ in brain tissue and function. In vivo measurement is afforded by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examining neuroanatomy through structural MRI (sMRI), connectivity through diffusion tensor imaging, and neurochemistry through Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. Magnetic resonance also enables examination of brain physiology using fMRI methods. Other functional neuroimaging methods include Positron Emission Tomography, which enables measurement of local cerebral glucose metabolism, blood flow, and receptor function. Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography can also be used to measure cerebral perfusion and receptor function. Although psychiatric illnesses are typically identified through behavioral observation, these illnesses are closely associated with anomalous brain structure. Advances in neuroimaging have left little doubt that particular diseases preferentially disturb specific neuroanatomic structures. Furthermore, the distribution of structural and functional anomalies seemingly reflects the underlying pathology, often dissociating illnesses. Importantly, emergent findings from neuroimaging studies promise to deconstruct present diagnostic entities into new functional entities with implication for their treatment.
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