Dr. Amen, I have had a brain MRI two weeks ago at my local VA Facility (Cleveland, OH). They will be scheduling me for a SPECT Scan early in January. Is there anything special that you do at your clinics’ scan protocol that the VA may do differently? If so, is it possible you can provide your scan protocols to the VA Techs so that the results will be meaningful to your staff — because I want to have your staff interpret my scan results and prescribe treatment. I trust you and your staff — the VA — not so much. I understand that the Amen Clinics have the largest data base of scans and experience in interpreting SPECT Scans and prescribing treatment. I live in Twinsburg, OH (Close to Cleveland). If necessary, the closest Amen Clinic to me would be NY. I have a nephew that lives on Long Island. If necessary, I could stay in his home while consulting with your staff at your NY Clinic. I would like to discuss the possibilities with your staff at the earliest opportunity. My phone number: 330-425-4721. Thank you. ICG
Better Together
Dr. Amen: Brain Scan
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Dr. Amen, I had a conversation with the technician that will be administering my SPECT Scan just a few minutes ago. He was unaware of the existence of the Amen Clinics or the work that you have dedicated yourselves to since (1989? I believe). I therefore gave him the five minute overview that I had learned from your video seminars, including the distinguishing details of having amassed the largest database of SPECT Scans in the world (more than 125K images? I believe) as well as diagnostic and treatment experience that (I am confident) distinguishes the Amen Clinics as the foremost authority on Brain SPECT Imaging Scans, diagnostics & treatment protocols in the world.
Ronald Derwaldt explained to me that during the course of any year, the Cleveland VA Hospital does not administer many SPECT Scans, and most of them are scheduled during a specific week in each calendar quarter. I explained to him that I had asked you if there were any specific Scan Protocols that are unique to the Amen Clinics in conducting SPECT Scans since I intend to seek the diagnostic opinion and treatment of the Amen Clinics once the Scan Data is available, and that I am awaiting your reply.
His response was quite positive in that he was enthusiastic about learning any useful techniques and insights that might be helpful to him in producing results that will be useful to your doctors in arriving at a full and complete diagnosis of the condition of my brain.
The Scan has been scheduled for the 4th of January at 11 AM. I therefore hope that you will receive this note and have enough time to inform Dr. Derwaldt of any unique Scanning instructions so that he will be properly prepared before my arrival.
Any special information can be sent directly to him at ronald.derwaldt@va.gov at your earliest convenience. I greatly appreciate your service in this matter. Thank you very much! Happy New Year! ICG
I have attempted to contact the clinic via email and a phone conversation, but have received no response to date. Nothing quite like it!
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Dr. Amen, are there any pre-scan instructions? I have been taking SAMe + Betaine TMG + Brain Curcumins — spaced at least 30 minutes between doses each morning followed by Brain & Body Power Max + 100mg Ubiquinol & 420mg Provinal & 5000 IU D3, during my usual breakfast of two soft boiled eggs combined with four table spoons of coconut oil. About two hours later I take two capsules Serotonin Mood Support. Will any of these adversely affect the outcome of my SPECT Scan? Please advise. Thank you. ICG
Coach
Please see the FAQ page on information regarding preparation for a SPECT scan. Generally, stimulants (coffee, tea, etc.) are discouraged the day of the scan, but you do not need to stop taking medications prior to your scan. If you are wanting to do so for any reason, always discuss this with your physician to be advised whether that is safe for you to do or not. Happy new year! -Coach Zoe
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I am anxiously awaiting to hear replies from the Amen clinic. I, too would like to do what you are proposing. I am a Veteran; and would like to use the VA channels first to provide the Amen clinics with their data. Hang in there, once the holiday is over, I am sure they will reply to your inquiry. I will keep checking too. Hang in there, Happy New Year.
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I discovered that my request for Scan Protocols was honored very promptly after all. I was looking for an email from the Amen Clinics, but it was sent as a ‘BestNotes’ message. I had no way of knowing. The specific requirements for the scan data seem to be very specific. I will not find out until the 2nd if the VA can provide useable data.
I had a SPECT Scan at the Cleveland VA (4 Jan). They used a Philips Nuclear Scanner, not the older Picker equipment. (I have told that Philips bought out Picker in the late 1980’s). They don’t do many brain scans at the Cleveland VA — just a few each calendar quarter. I have not had a followup appointment to determine what the scan results show, but I intend to send the scan images to Dr. Amen as soon as they are available.
I may be whistling in the wind with a VA Scan that will likely be less that useful for diagnosis and prescription of the appropriate therapies. 125K Scans produces a very substantial perspective that is difficult to replicate functionally at the VA.
The VAs first attempt was a failure, and they want to have another attempt at getting the job done properly. This may be a good opportunity of introducing the VA to the Amen Clinic as a source of training. I suspect that they are unaware of how important SPECT Brain Scans are to the large number of servicemen who experience all forms of brain trauma and all other potential threats to their healthy mental function. Are you willing to use me as a bridge into the VA? I am willing. Please advise. Thank you.
ICG
The 2nd VA SPECT Scan (conducted 1/18/2017) went better than the 1st. It is a simple baseline scan, and I will send a CD (DVD?) disk to Amen Clinics as soon as I am able to get a copy. ICG
My experience with the VA SPECT Scan is very disappointing. They don’t seem to know what to do with their scan results. The only report that I received from the neurologist is that the SPECT Scan ‘is of diagnostic quality’. But, they have no diagnosis to offer.
The implication is: Yes! You have a brain!
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