Psych HL - 2.4, Brain study techniques

PET Scan description

Positron Emission Tomography

1. The patient is injected with a harmless radioactive glucose

2. Glucose is used in active areas of the brain

3. Radioactive particles are detected by the PET scanner

4. A colored map of brain activity is produced

MRI description

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

1. Detects changes in the use of oxygen in the blood

2. When areas of the brain are more active, they use more oxygen

3. Produces a 3d picture of the brain STRUCTURES (static images)

fMRI description

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

1. Detects changes in the use of oxygen in the blood

2. When areas of the brain are more active, they use more oxygen

3. Produces a 3d picture of the brain FUNCTIONS (real-time log of activity)

PET Scan strengths

• Can record ongoing brain activity, such as thinking

• It’s the only way to learn about biological processes in the brain

PET Scan limitations

• Not a natural environment for cognition, lacks EV

• Invasive due to the injection used

MRI strengths

• Easier to carry out than PET scans

• Higher resolutions than PET scans

• The only method to study ongoing processes in the brain

MRI limitations

• More expensive and less accessible

• Not a natural environment for cognition, lacks EV

fMRI strengths

• Easier to carry out than PET scans

• Higher resolutions than PET scans

• The only method to study ongoing processes in the brain

fMRI limitations

• More expensive and less accessible

• Not a natural environment for cognition, lacks EV