Neuroimaging Technologies

Neuroimaging plays a vital role in evaluating the effects of brain injury, offering visual insights into both structure and function. Whether the injury is traumatic, acquired, mild, moderate, or severe, imaging technologies help detect abnormalities such as bleeding, swelling, lesions, disrupted white matter pathways, and changes in brain metabolism. These scans are often among the first steps taken after an injury, but it’s important to remember they are only one piece of the full diagnostic puzzle.

Different imaging modalities….like CT, MRI, SPECT, and PET, offer different types of information. More advanced imaging such as Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), Susceptibility Weighted Imaging (SWI), and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) are increasingly used to detect subtle brain changes, especially when conventional scans appear normal.

Despite these technological advances, many individuals with brain injury may have normal imaging results, especially in cases of mild TBI or concussion. This does not mean the person is “fine” or imagining symptoms. A normal scan does not rule out injury, just as an abnormal scan does not always predict the severity of symptoms. Imaging must always be interpreted alongside patient-reported symptoms, medical history, and functional assessments. Brain injuries are highly individualized, and no single scan can determine prognosis or recovery potential on its own.

The following section provides an overview of commonly used neuroimaging techniques following brain injury. Each option opens a new page with information about what the scan shows, how it works, and when it might be recommended. Click on any link below to explore a specific imaging tool; these will open in a new window for your convenience.

CT Scan (and AI driven CT)
Magnetencephalography (MEG)
MRI
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI)
- Susceptibility Weighted Imaging (SWI)
- Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS)
Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) – Infrascanner Device
SPECT Scan
SPECT-CT Hybrid Imaging
PET Scan

Experimental

New tools are changing the way we detect and monitor brain injuries. Artificial intelligence is helping doctors spot subtle changes in the brain through advanced scans like DTI and radiomics-enhanced CTs. Portable tests using blood or saliva biomarkers are being developed to quickly check for signs of injury right at the bedside. New experimental tools like MEG, functional biomarkers, and neuro-mapping models offer more insight than ever before. Smartphone apps and virtual reality tools like READY and MINDSCAPE are making it easier to track recovery from anywhere. These innovations are bringing hope for faster answers and more personalized care.