Functional imaging studies of cognition using Tc-99m-HMPAO SPECT: empirical validation using the n-back working memory paradigm

Purpose Functional activation protocols are widely applied for the study of brain-cognition relations. Only few take advantage of the intrinsic characteristics of SPECT, particularly those allowing cognitive assessment outside of the camera, in settings close to the standard clinical or laboratory ones. The purpose of the study was to assess the feasibility of a split-dose activation protocol with Tc-99m-HMPAO using low irradiation dose.