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What Causes Lack Of Clarity While Thinking And Difficulty Taking Simple Decisions?

Posted on Fri, 16 May 2014

Question: I am facing lack of clarity while thinking and difficulty taking simple decisions, Similarly I am experiencing that I am unable to focus /concentrate on task at hand. I doubt that these symptoms might be due to imbalance in neurotransmitters and want to get the levels of neurotransmitters checked for Myself , What all can be tested and what all does not get tested.

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
PET scan of the brain would help.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting your query.

I have noted your symptoms and agree that they could be related to the imbalance of neurotransmitters.

For diagnosis, you can go for PET-CT scan of brain (positron emission tomography). This scan tells us about the functioning status of various parts of brain, on the basis of neurotransmitter levels, especially of acetylcholine and dopamine.

Direct measurements of these neurotransmitters are possible in blood, but it would not help us assess their levels in the brain, which matter the most.

I hope my reply has helped you.

I would be pleased to answer, if you have any follow up queries or if you require any further information.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad,
For DIRECT QUERY to me: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My blog: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.com/

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (33 hours later)

Thanks for your response,

I have the following queries:
1) What is the exact medical term used for the test , eg Blood test I tell check Glucose level or T3 or T4 etc.What do I tell the test labs people to perform in this case.
1) If you consider Mumbai location ,I would further like to know what is the cost of the "PET-CT" scan ( I assume is one word and not "PET or CT" scan ).
2) Which is the best recommended place to get it done in Mumbai
3) Will it make any difference in results of the tests, if I get it done at some local government offerings
4) How much time this test takes to complete, any pre-test injection or chemical to be taken
5) What should I expect as a report post this test
6) Based on your experience, what are next steps ( Medicines, treatment ,diets etc ) when we get the report in hand.
7) Is this situation common happening or a rare as per your observations and experience

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
My replies are below:

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back and asking more queries. Following are the answers:

1. Test name is PET-CT scan of the brain. In addition, you should provide your clinical data (list of symptoms),

2. Cost in Hyderabad: Rs 12,000/ (not sure of Mumbai cost)

3. You can enquire about it in best hospitals there.

4. You can get it done in a good place, whether government or private.

5. Test takes a few minutes, but you have to report in a fasting state. They give a XXXXXXX injection, and then the test is done. Overall, you will get the report on the same day.

6. Repport shows metabolism status in the brain based on the neurotransmitters- such as hypo metabolism (low metabolism) or normal or hyper metabolism.

7. Most often, treatment would be medications, physical exercises, good diet, and brain exercises.

8. I see several people with these symptoms (as I am a busy neurologist with more than 20 years experience, seeing 40-50 patients per day in a premier hospital).

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar