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The difficulties of evaluating patients with complex neuropsychiatric conditions and prescribing appropriate treatments are well known. Imaging complements clinical assessments and allows a clinician to narrow the differential diagnosis by facilitating accurate and efficient evaluation. This is particularly relevant to neuropsychiatric conditions that are often diagnosed using a trial-and error process of exclusion. Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) is a functional brain imaging procedure that allows practitioners to measure the functional changes of gray matter structures based on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). The accurate diagnosis and treatment selection in psychiatry is challenging due to complex cases and frequent comorbidities. However, such complex neuropsychiatric conditions are increasingly benefitting from new treatment approaches, in addition to established medications. Among these are combination transcranial magnetic stimulation with ketamine infusions (CTK), hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and perispinal administration of etanercept (PSE). This article provides readers with six case study examples that demonstrate how brain SPECT imaging can be used, both as a diagnostic tool, and as a potential biomarker for monitoring and evaluating novel treatments for patients with complex neuropsychiatric conditions. Six patients were assessed in our clinic and baseline brain SPECT imagesTourettes and a long history of alcohol were visually compared with SPECT images collected after periods of treatment with CTK or HBOT followed by PSE. This retrospective review demonstrates the clinical utility of these novel treatments and describes how SPECT imaging can complement standard diagnostic assessments. A novel display technique for SPECT images is described and we argue that SPECT imaging can be used for monitoring biomarker for clinical change.
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BACKGROUND: Both transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and infused ketamine are recognized treatments for patients suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD). A novel therapy named combination TMS with ketamine (CTK) is introduced. This retrospective review examined the safety and clinical benefits of CTK in patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression (TRD) during the routine practice of psychiatry in a private clinic. METHODS: TRD patients (N = 28) received a coincident application of high-output TMS (30 minutes) with biomarker-determined ketamine infusions (20 minutes). Frequency of treatment was dependent on patient responsiveness (10-30 sessions). Clinical global impression (CGI) data was collected pre- and post-treatment and then two years later. RESULTS: The mean reduction in CGI severity for the patient group following CTK was 4.46 ± 0.54 at a 99% confidence interval and was deemed statistically significant using a paired t-test (α = 0.01, t = 22.81 p < 0.0001). This reduction was sustained for two years following treatment completion and this remission was deemed statistically significant by a second paired t-test (α = 0.01, t = 27.36, p < 0.0001). LIMITATIONS: Retrospective review of a limited number of patients undergoing CTK in a clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: This clinical review indicated that CTK is an effective, long-term therapy (after two years) and can be used for TRD patients. The coincident administration of ketamine allowed for higher TMS intensities than otherwise would be tolerated by patients. Further studies for optimization of CTK are warranted.
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INTRODUCTION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of successful treatment for bipolar II disorder using a combined ketamine and transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: A 43-year-old Caucasian unemployed man presented to us with treatment-resistant bipolar II disorder, currently in a mixed state. A psychometric assessment and brain single-photon emission computer tomography scan were conducted at baseline. His psychometric assessment revealed severe depressive and manic symptoms that were consistent with bipolar II disorder. Findings from a brain single-photon emission computer tomography scan converged with those from his psychometric assessment. The combined ketamine and transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment was administered a total of 24 times over five months, with his ketamine dosage increased from 50mg at the first treatment to 600 mg by the last. Starting after the second treatment, he reported substantial improvements in his symptoms. A follow-up psychometric assessment and brain single-photon emission computer tomography scan five months later revealed substantial blood flow increases in the previously deficient areas. CONCLUSIONS: We provide preliminary evidence for a treatment method that magnifies the therapeutic benefits of infused ketamine along with transcranial magnetic stimulation. We postulate that this may be based on an interaction at the level of the relevant cortico-thalamo-cortical circuit(s).
