DENVER: It is now possible to separate two common disorders: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), according to researchers. The study, which examined over 20,000 brain scans, is believed to be the largest brain imaging study ever.
Researchers use computer-based methods to measure blood flow and activity in 128 different brain regions while study subjects are at rest and while doing a mental task. The study then uses a mathematical model to determine if the scans could tell apart TBI from PTSD from persons with both. This model is then applied to separate groups with and without other mental health conditions with predictive sensitivity of SPECT in distinguishing PTSD from TBI of 80-100%.