CereScan

About CereScan

CereScan, founded in 2008 and headquartered in Littleton, Colorado, operates at the intersection of medical imaging and data analytics to improve the diagnosis of complex brain disorders. The company was established to address the high rates of misdiagnosis for brain-based conditions, which often present with overlapping and invisible symptoms.

John Kelley, a seasoned executive with a background in the data industry, joined CereScan as Chairman and CEO in April 2009. Previously the CEO of McDATA Corporation, a data storage company, Kelley was drawn to CereScan by the potential he saw in applying big data principles to the vast amount of information generated by medical imaging systems. His journey began when he invested in the startup and joined its board, later stepping into the CEO role, energized by the opportunity to merge his data expertise with medical professionals to address brain health.

CereScan's core offering is a specialized brain imaging process centered around Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) and PET/CT scans. Unlike MRI or CT scans that show the brain's physical structure, SPECT imaging measures cerebral blood flow, revealing how different areas of the brain are functioning—whether they are working well, overworking, or underworking. This functional data is crucial for diagnosing a range of neurological and psychiatric conditions, including Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Alzheimer's disease, PTSD, ADHD, depression, and anxiety disorders. The process involves a patient interview, neuropsychiatric screening, the scan itself, and a detailed report for the referring physician.

The company's business model revolves around providing these advanced diagnostic services to patients, who are often referred by physicians, attorneys, or researchers. Revenue is generated through direct payment for these imaging services, with options for insurance billing, financing, and cash payments. CereScan has established a nationwide network of affiliated imaging centers to make its technology more accessible. A key differentiator is its proprietary, web-based software platform, CereMetrixAI. This platform uses FDA-cleared QSPECT® technology to perform a quantitative, voxel-level analysis of the brain scan data, comparing it against an extensive database to identify patterns associated with specific disorders. This data-driven approach aims to remove subjectivity from the diagnostic process, providing objective evidence to support clinical decision-making.