Hanley Center, a nonprofit addiction treatment center, is planning to use SPECT scans to capture brain images of patients with alcohol and drug addiction, as well as to design more effective patient treatment programs.

By analyzing blood flow to the areas of the brain most impacted by the disease by SPECT scans, Hanley plans to customize treatment plans to address specific brain dysfunctions related to addiction.

Beyond assisting in addiction diagnoses and treatment, brain imaging can also be used to educate patients by showing them their pre- and post-treatment scans. Hanley, headquartered in West Palm Beach, Fla., also plans to incorporate the images into its prevention and education programs, and use them for research with local partners.