Research Methods In Neuroscience Flashcards
Why is X-ray not a good method to view the brain
The brain is a mushy texture, with not much variability between the part of it and the fluid surrounding it, so an x-ray would only be useful to confirm the region of foreign objects for medical purposes
What is an example of a contrast x-ray of the brain
A cerebral angiography
What is the contrast x-ray technique
Using an injected substance known as a contrast agent to see the difference between the intravascular compartment and everything else
What is an MRI
An MRI is a magnetic resonance imaging is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to form pictures of the anatomy and the physiological processes of the body using magnetic fields and radio waves to generate images of organs in the body
How does an MRI build up an image of internal structures
An MRI scanner uses magnetism to see the position of hydrogen atoms in water molecules inside the body
What is an fMRI
An fMRI is a functional magnetic resonance imaging which measures brain activity by detecting changes associated with blood flow
How does an fMRI work
This imaging technique relies on the fact that cerebral blood flow and neuronal activation are coupled so when an area of the brain is in use blow flow to that area increases
In fMRI what is the contrast agent
Blood
What is a PET scan
A PET/ positron emission tomography is a functional imaging technique that uses radioactive substances know as radio-tracers to visualise and measure changes in metabolic processes and other physiological activities including blood flow, regional chemical composition and absorption
What contrast agents are used in a PET scan
We use contrast agents that are specifically targeted to the biological processes we want to image, so use a chemical that binds to the target
How does a PET scan work
You would first attach a radioisotope which is a radiation emitting molecule to that chemical which is specifically a positron emitter. You would then inject the tracer (contrast agent) into the subject. You would then detect emitted radiation and use a computer to work out where it is coming from
What is an MRI-PET scan
This is hybrid imaging technology that incorporates both magnetic resonance imaging oft tissue morphological imaging and positron emission tomography functional imaging
What does an EEG of the brain show
An ECG of the brain can give an indication of region brain activity underlying the electrodes
What is an EEG of the brain good in detecting
Signs of epilepsy
What is MEG
MEG is magnetoenephalography which is a functional neuroimaging technique used to map brain activity
