Determining effects of psychoactive compounds on the brain using positron emission tomography

摘要

A method of determining the effects of administering a psychoactive compound, such as a drug, on a patient's brain using imaging techniques with position emission tomography (PET) is disclosed. The method measures cerebral metabolism before and after administering the compound, and employs a behavioral clamp to control behavioral influences on the patient's brain after administration of the compound. The method also includes transportation of image data into standard computer space and statistical procedures for volumetrically determining areas of treatment effects.