alt Hacker NewsThis isn’t entirely news to people in the field doing research, but it’s important information to keep in mind when anyone starts pushing fMRI (or SPECT) scans into popular media discussions about neurology or psychiatry.
There have been some high profile influencer doctors pushing brain imaging scans as diagnostic tools for years. Dr. Amen is one of the worst offenders with his clinics that charge thousands of dollars for SPECT scans (not the same as the fMRI in this paper but with similar interpretation issues) on patients. Insurance won’t cover them because there’s no scientific basis for using them in diagnosing or treating ADHD or chronic pain, but his clinics will push them on patients. Seeing an image of their brain with some colors overlayed and having someone confidently read it like tea leaves is highly convincing to people who want answers. Dr. Amen has made the rounds on Dr. Phil and other outlets, as well as amassing millions of followers on social media.
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Back in 2009 I remember reading about how dead salmon apparently turns up brain activity in fMRI without proper statistical methods. fMRI studies are something frequently invoked unscientifically and out of context.
I thought I was being clever by coining the term "non-invasive phrenology" but it appears people are already using it non-ironically.
I saw a clinical report of his on a patient, he puts a graphic in their report of their "brain scan" but it's basically a vector graphic of the brain w/ a multicolor MS Paint gradient...
>> Seeing an image of their brain with some colors overlayed ... is highly convincing
Indeed, there's been quite a few studies [1] that find just including any old image of a brain with stuff highlighted will cause a paper to be perceived as more scientifically credible.
Dr. Amen is more of a marketing/sales guy than a medical expert.
thanks for this comment. it was really insightful thank you.
Pop science guru-ing is a giant flashing red sign for me. I am never even a little surprised when the latest “sense maker” or pop science guru comes out as a complete loon or is consumed by some kind of scandal.
Influencers in general are always suspect. The things that get you an audience fast are trolling or tabloid-ish tactics like conspiracism.
There are good ones but you have to be discerning.
Dr. Mike, a rare YouTube doctor who is not peddling supplements and wares, and thus seems to be at the forefront of medical critical thinking on the platform, interviewed Dr. Amen recently[0]. I haven't finished the interview yet, but having watched some others, generally the approach is to let the interviewee make their grandiose claims, agree with whatever vague generalities and truisms they use in their rhetoric (yes it's true, doctors don't spend enough time explaining things to patients!), and then lay into them on the actual science and evidence.
[0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-SHgZ1XPXs