what is brain spect
Page Content. A brain SPECT, or Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography, scan is used to detect altered blood flow in the brain. A SPECT 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. Procedural Details 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.