Analysis of HMPAO SPECT scans in head injury using Statistical Parametric Mapping

Article type: Research Article

Authors: E.A. Stamatakis, | J.T.L. Wilson, | D.J. Wyper,

Affiliations: Department of Psychology, University of Stirling, UK | Department of Clinical Physics, University of Glasgow, UK

Note: [] Department of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK. Tel.: +44 01786 467669; Fax: +44 01786 467641; E-mail: eas1@stir.ac.uk

Abstract: The paper examines the ability of Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM) to contribute towards the quantitative analysis of HMPAO SPECT images containing lesions. A validation study is described in which SPECT images were created that contained synthetic lesions and were analysed with SPM. The study established a set of guidelines concerning the alignment, smoothing, and statistical analysis of images. These were then applied to analysis of SPECT scans from head injured patients. A demonstration is given of the use of SPM to identify localised blood flow abnormalities associated with cognitive deficits after head injury. Correlations between blood flow abnormalities and a test of visual memory are illustrated.

Journal: Behavioural Neurology, vol. 12, no. 1-2, pp. 29-37, 2000