Brain Imaging
The stability of rCBF in remitted depressed and normal control subjects.
Investigators: O. Bonne, B. Lerer, Y. Krausz, R. Chisin (Nuclear Medicine)
Most functional imaging studies of major depression have examined subjects in the acute stage of their disorder or, at most, before and after treatment. In this project we are performing an additional long-term HMPAO-SPECT assessment to previously examined (before and treatment) depressed subjects who have been in remission for at least 2 years and (previously examined) normal controls. This study will provide much needed information concerning cerebral metabolism of depressed patients in remission.
Cerebral structure and perfusion among hypothyroid depressed, hypothyroid non-depressed, euthyroid depressed and matched normal control subjects.
Investigators: O. Bonne, M. Gomorri (Radiology), Y. Krausz, R. Chisin (Nuclear Medicine)
This MRI/SPECT study seeks to find and compare discrete patterns of cerebral perfusion in hypothyroid depressed and non-depressed subjects before and after treatment for hypothyroidism, compared to depressed subjects before after treatment with antidepressant medication. Possible correlations between the changes in affective state and alterations in cerebral perfusion ratios in the 2 groups of subjects in whom affective condition is compromised are also being sought.
Cerebral representation of chronic pain: A positron emission tomography study.
Investigators: O. Bonne, Y. Shir, R. Chisin (Nuclear Medicine)
Current knowledge indicates a major role for various brain stem and forebrain structures in the processing of signals of nociception from the periphery. Studies using brain-imaging techniques i.e.: positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) are focused on experimentally induced pain, thus investigating mainly the central representation of the sensory-discriminative dimension of acute pain. The objectives of the present study are:
(1) to investigate brain regions activated in association with chronic pain in diabetic patients suffering from peripheral neuropathy. This will be done with respect to the patients' psychological profile.
(2) to examine changes in rCBF in response to placebo vs. active treatment of pain (systemic lignocaine).
(3) to correlate subjective pain relief and changes of rCBF.
(4) to correlate pain relief and rCBF changes with the patients' psychological profile.
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