Mental Health Diagnostic Research

Mental Health Diagnostic Research

The diagnostic of psychiatric disorders is entirely based on behavioral criteria rather than biological criteria, which does not give detailed information about the disorder. For a better understanding of psychiatric disorders and monitoring response to the available therapeutic intervention and prediction of outcomes, it is essential to enhance biological target search, including diagnostic in psychiatric disorders.

Electroencephalography

Electroencephalography (EEG), first reported in humans in 1920 by Hans Berger, is a non-invasive investigation used for the diagnosis of neuropsychiatric and psychiatric disorders. During clinical examination, a good predictor of abnormal recordings of EEG is identified as an organic factor. The fundamental EEG principle is the recording of brain activities by the use of electrodes. In delirium, it shows posterior dominant rhythm dropout, generalized theta slow waves activity, and no reaction to closing and opening of the eye. In dementia, the abnormal EEG findings are higher values of parietal occipital and frontocentral theta and low values of parietal occipital beta. The decline in cognitive function, as seen in Alzheimer’s patients, is always associated with lower peak frequency. Higher frontal delta activities are always reported in schizophrenia (Clarke et al., 2019).

Computerized EEG Mapping

Computed EEG topographic (CET) brain mapping is a rather simpler computer-based technique of two-dimensional display and computation of electrical activities of the brain. The EEG data is usually mapped on 28 points of the patient’s head and then fed into a computer for amplification and analysis to create 256 to 400 points and to produce a two-dimensional color-coded spatial image that is then displayed to the monitor. These techniques often make use of the functional measure, radioisotopes, with minimal risk involvements. Abnormalities in brain activities by this method are higher values of fast beta and delta activities as compared to normal controls (Howells et al., 2018).

Computerized Tomographic Scan

This is an imagining technique that uses computer processing in combination with a sequence of X-ray images to produce (slices) cross-sectional images of soft tissues, bones, and blood vessels. In psychiatric patients, it provides a detailed insight into the etiology and anatomical abnormalities within the brain of mood disorders, schizophrenia, and neurological disorders. Brain CT scan in psychiatry is indicated for prolonged catatonia, movement disorders of unknown cause, confusion, and personality changes after 50 years. The possible finding is frontal atrophy, brain ischemia, and generalized brain atrophy (Rego and Velakoulis, 2019).

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

MRI is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that uses magnetic fields and radio waves generated by computers to produce detailed imaging of tissues and organs. In psychiatry, this tool has been used to study deficits in neurological functions seen in dementia, schizophrenia, affective, and anxiety disorders. MRI produces information on anatomical changes in the brain. Higher-resolution images are produced using higher-field strength scanners. The possible finding is frontal atrophy, brain ischemia, and generalized brain atrophy (Chandra et al., 2019).

Positron Emission Tomography

Positron emission tomography is a functional imaging technique that utilizes radiotracers (radioactive substances) for visualization and measurement of changes in the process of metabolic, blood flow, regional chemical absorption, and composition. In psychiatric disorders, positron emission tomography is used to study the functions of the human brain. Most studies often report decreased rates of metabolic in the larger areas of the brain. These changes in metabolic activities are always a consequence of essential changes in neuronal functions (First et al., 2018).

Single-photon Emission Computed Tomography

This is a nuclear imaging scan that incorporates the use of computer tomography and radioactive tracer and integrates the use of activation strategies with the imaging of neuroreceptors.  This diagnostic tool is always used for the flow of blood to organs and tissues. In psychiatry, this technique is readily available for 3D assessment of regional blood flow to the cerebral cortex. It is useful in the diagnosis of seizure, dementia, schizophrenia, panic disorders, depression, and other psychiatric and neuropsychiatric disorders. A tracer is usually injected into the bloodstream before the scan. The tracer is detectable by the CT scan due to its ability to emit gamma rays. The abnormal finding in the brain reported by this technique is multifocal hypoperfusion of the parietal and frontal lobes, decreased medial temporal and parietal lobes, and enlarged ventricles (Rego and Velakoulis, 2019).

References

Chandra, A., Dervenoulas, G., & Politis, M. (2019). Magnetic resonance imaging in Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment. Journal of Neurology, 266(6), 1293-1302. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00415-018-9016-3

Clarke, A. R., Barry, R. J., Karamacoska, D., & Johnstone, S. J. (2019). The EEG theta/beta ratio: a marker of arousal or cognitive processing capacity?. Applied psychophysiology and biofeedback, 44(2), 123-129. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10484-018-09428-6

First, M. B., Drevets, W. C., Carter, C., Dickstein, D. P., Kasoff, L., Kim, K. L., … & Zubieta, J. K. (2018). Clinical applications of neuroimaging in psychiatric disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry, 175(9), 915-916. https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.1750701

Howells, F. M., Temmingh, H. S., Hsieh, J. H., van Dijen, A. V., Baldwin, D. S., & Stein, D. J. (2018). Electroencephalographic delta/alpha frequency activity differentiates psychotic disorders: a study of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and methamphetamine-induced psychotic disorder. Translational psychiatry, 8(1), 1-11. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-018-0105-y

Rego, T., & Velakoulis, D. (2019). Brain imaging in psychiatric disorders: target or screen?. BJPsych Open, 5(1). https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bjpsych-open/article/brain-imaging-in-psychiatric-disorders-target-or-screen/1AD3788FB700FCCA0DD050FC5BA4D634

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Conduct a search to identify the various diagnostic examinations, the techniques used, the purpose of the examination, and possible findings for the following procedures:

Mental Health Diagnostic Research

Electroencephalography
Computerized EEG Mapping
Computerized Tomographic Scan
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Positron Emission Tomography
Single photon Emission Computed Tomography

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