Brain Scans

Question 1

CAT Scan

Answer 1

• Structure
• X-rays
• Can identify: 1) tumors, 2) swelling, and 3) bleeding

Question 2

MRI

Answer 2

• Structure
• Radio waves
• much more detailed than a CT scan
• Can identify organs, bones and soft tissue

Question 3

EEG

Answer 3

• Function
• noninvasive and measures neural activity in the brain
• cannot tell information about individual neurons or individual portions of brain

Question 4

MEG

Answer 4

• Function
• records electrical currents produced in the brain
• higher resolution than EEG

Question 5

FMRI

Answer 5

• Structure+Function
• Measure the hemodynamic response (change in blood flow) to see which areas of the brain are being used
• some areas of the brain receive more blood than others naturally, hence it measure the CHANGE

Question 6

PET Scan

Answer 6

• Structure+Function
• Uses radioactive tracers attached to biological substrates (like glucose) to see which areas of the brain are using it the most
• Often combined with CT scans to aid in resolution/structure