AP Psych tools of discovery from 1.4a

EEG

records brain’s electrical activity by measures waves through electrodes placed on the scalp

helps identify seizures, sleep patterns, and abnormalities in brain activity

MRI

assembles picture of the brain using magnetic pulses

can show healthy tissue, tumors, tissue degeneration, and blood clots, or leaks that may signal strokes

fMRI

tracks brain activity over time by comparing successive MRI scans to detect changes in blood flow

MEG

measures tiny and magnetic fields within the brain’s electrical currents

used to measure sensory processing, language, mapping, clinical research

CT

combines x-ray movements and computer processing to create cross-sectional pictures of brain

shows physical structures, tumors, bleeding, and shrinking

PET

measures metabolic activity by tracking glucose, creates 3d color image of how the brain is functioning