Restoring Your Brain by Joseph A... Patients are evaluated by studying the whole person: their life circumstances, medical history, diet, habits, and brain activity. In some cases, if necessary, I also use a brain imaging technique called Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), detailed in Chapter 12, to detect imbalances in brain circuits, brain injuries, and organic brain trauma, and to identify anything else that may damage or functionally impair the brain without the person's awareness.