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Frequently Asked Questions about Brain Scans
Why have a brain scan?
A Brain Scan can supply your treating clinician with objective diagnostic information to help provide you with better healthcare. Think of it this way - if you had a broken leg would you let a doctor treat you without getting an x-ray? Probably not. And it shouldn’t be any different when it comes to disorders of the brain.
How would a brain scan help me if I already have a diagnosis?
If you have a proper diagnosis and feel like you are receiving proper treatment, a Brain Scan is probably not necessary other than being a further objective confirmation of your diagnosis.
However, if you have a diagnosis, but you still feel "out of sorts" or "not quite right", then you may want to have more objective diagnostic information available. This is where we believe brain imaging can be an enormous help to your treating clinician by helping to identify what other conditions may be present in your brain. With this information, you and your clinician can more quickly and easily design a treatment plan that works for you.
Do I need a referral from my physician?
No. Individuals can be referred by their physician or other treating clinician (such as a psychologist, counselor or clinical social worker). Individuals can also "self-refer" and then have arrangement made to assure appropriate follow-up care based on the findings.
How long does the procedure take?
Will the test cause me any pain or discomfort?
Are there any side affects or risks associated with this procedure?
There is a slight possibility that an individual could experience a mild rash, facial redness and swelling, fever and an increase in blood pressure. These side effects happen in only a small percentage of people and go away quickly. The amount of radiation exposure from one brain scan is approximately the same as the amount of radiation you would receive in an airplane going from New York to Los Angeles.
How will a brain scan help my clinician develop a treatment plan?
The brain scan images give your treating clinician additional information about your brain function that can aid in making a proper diagnosis, which can then guide more effective treatment.
What can I expect on the day of my scan?
When you arrive, a member of the staff will confirm basic demographic information with you. This will take approximately 15 to 30 minutes and will also allow you time to ask any questions you might have.
You will then be taken to a quiet, comfortable room where a small intravenous (IV) line is started. An imaging agent, the drug that allows the equipment to "see" brain activity, is injected using this IV and you are then returned to the waiting room for approximately 45 minutes. After your wait, you will be taken into the camera room.
This room is climate controlled and set-up to be relaxing. The procedure itself takes about 12 minutes. If you are scheduled for a second scan, you will come back to the center approximately 30 hours later for a repeat scan, this time after doing a brief task that requires you to focus. This resting and concentration study allows the clinician to look at your brain in a "quiet" state and contrast it with an "active" state.
How will I get the results of the test?
NYU Medical at Columbus’ medical director will read the scan and write a report. A clinician will meet with you, and your treating clinician if you so choose, to interpret the results, the doctors report and the treatment implications.
How can Brain Scan imaging be helpful when dealing with Alzheimer's or dementia?
Recent scientific studies have shown that brain scan imaging can be one of the most sensitive ways to detect Alzheimer's disease in its early stages. These studies have shown decreased blood perfusion in the medial temporal lobes bilaterally and in the parietal lobes bilaterally. These changes can be noted even before the patient becomes significantly symptomatic with their disease process.
Since the earlier the intervention in Alzheimer's, the better the long-term prognosis, brain scan imaging plays an important role in detecting early signs of dementia or Alzheimer's and eventually prolonging the quality of life.
Will my insurance company pay for the scan?
Although insurance plans vary considerably, plans will usually pay for brain scans when they are used to rule out brain injury or trauma as the basis for a particular disorder. Additionally, traditional applications for disorders like stroke and dementia are often covered. Our staff will work with you to arrange payment options. It is always best to check with your particular carrier regarding specific coverage or exclusion.
