Twelve New York Times best-selling titles identify Daniel Amen as a prominent figure in the intersection of psychiatry and public health messaging. Born in Encino, California, in 1954, Amen established a career centered on neuroimaging and clinical practice. He founded Amen Clinics, focusing on the use of single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to evaluate brain activity and guide therapeutic interventions.
Professional Training and Early Career
Amen pursued his higher education in California, earning an Associate of Arts degree from Orange Coast College in 1976 and a Bachelor of Arts in biology from Southern California College—now Vanguard University—in 1978. He received his medical degree from Oral Roberts University School of Medicine in 1982. His psychiatric training occurred at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., followed by subspecialty training in child and adolescent psychiatry at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu. He holds board certification from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →The Use of SPECT Imaging
The business operations at the twelve Amen Clinics heavily utilize SPECT imaging to compare patient brain activity against a standardized healthy model. Patients may receive both pharmacological and non-medicative treatment recommendations based on these assessments. The clinics maintain a large database of functional brain scans, with Amen reporting by 2009 that 50,000 individuals had been scanned. In 2020, initial evaluations utilizing this diagnostic tool were priced at approximately $4,000. Amen also performs follow-up scans to measure the perceived effectiveness of his treatment plans.
Scientific and Ethical Criticism
The medical and psychiatric community has expressed significant opposition to the diagnostic use of SPECT for psychological conditions. Reviewers, including the American Psychiatric Association, have stated that current evidence does not support neuroimaging for the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders in children or adolescents. Experts, such as professor Martha Farah and neuroscientist Anjan Chatterjee, have noted the practice lacks empirical validation and raises ethical concerns regarding radiation exposure and costs. Critics characterize the promotion of these services as unproven, noting that professional clinical diagnoses are often sufficient.
Consultancy and Media
Beyond clinic operations, Amen has provided brain scan consultations for professional athletes, including players from the National Football League. He diagnosed brain damage in former kicker Tom Dempsey and provided care for hockey player Paul Kariya, recommending his retirement due to concussion-related issues. Amen serves as the CEO of the Change Your Brain Foundation and BrainMD, the latter of which markets dietary supplements. His first book, Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, was published in 1999.
Fast facts
- Born: 1954, Encino, California
- Medical Degree: Oral Roberts University, 1982
- Board Certification: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
- Primary Diagnostic Tool: SPECT imaging
- Associated Organizations: Amen Clinics, BrainMD, Change Your Brain Foundation
- Known Role: Psychiatrist and neuroscientist
- Author Status: Twelve-time New York Times best-selling author as of 2023
Questions readers ask
What diagnostic method does Daniel Amen use in his clinics?
He uses single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to image brain activity.
How have professional medical organizations reacted to Amen's use of SPECT?
The American Psychiatric Association has concluded that available evidence does not support using brain imaging for the clinical diagnosis of psychiatric disorders.
Achievements
- Held posts at University of California, Irvine