Neurolite Brain Scan

A neurolite brain scan is used to detect altered blood flow in the brain.

A neurolite brain scan is a nuclear medicine exam that uses a radioactive compound to diagnose some diseases of the brain. It is a form of radiology, because radiation is used to capture pictures of the human body.

You will be given a small dose of radioactive material through an intravenous (IV) line. This compound, called a tracer, collects in the brain and gives off gamma rays. The gamma camera detects the rays and then produces pictures and measurements of the brain.

• On the day of the exam, you should avoid caffeine, alcohol, and other substances known to affect cerebral blood flow.
• If there is any chance you are pregnant, please let the technologist know.

1. When you first arrive, the technologist will put an intravenous (IV) line into your arm/hand.
2. Then you will sit in a dimly lit, quiet room with your eyes open for 5 to 10 minutes. It is important to be in a quiet environment to minimize brain activity.
3. You will be given a small dose of radioactive material intravenously (IV). This compound, called a tracer, collects in the brain and will give off gamma rays.
4. The gamma camera detects the rays. A computer will then produce pictures of the brain based on the detected gamma rays.
5. Fifteen minutes after your injection, you will undergo imaging of your brain. The imaging involves lying flat while the camera takes pictures of your brain.
6. The technologist will help make you comfortable. The imaging will take 35 minutes. You must not move during the time the camera is taking pictures. If you move, the pictures will be blurry and may have to be repeated. The entire test should take about one hour.

• Some minor discomfort during a nuclear medicine procedure may arise from the IV.
• Lying still on the exam table may be hard for some patients.
• Most of the radioactivity passes out of your body in urine or stool. The rest simply goes away over time.

When the test is over, the nuclear medicine doctor will review your images, prepare a written report, and discuss the results with your doctor. Your doctor will then talk with you about the results and discuss your treatment options. Talk to your doctor to find out whether or not you will need to restart any medications that you stopped for this exam.