BIOLOGICAL brain scanning techniques Flashcards

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1
Q

which techniques aer functional and which are structural

A

structural - CAT/CT
functional - PET and fMRI

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2
Q

how is an image obtained when using a CAT/CT scan

A

X ray images of slices of the brain
used individually or put together to form a 3D image

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3
Q

how is an image obtained using a PET scan

A
  • radioactive tracer mixed wiht glucose is injected
  • glucose is used up where there’s a lot of activity
  • tracer decays and releases positrons
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4
Q

how is an image obtained using an fMRI scan

A
  • placed in a scanner wiht strong magnetic field
  • causes nuclei in hydrogen molecules to spini
  • produces a detailed image of different areas
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5
Q

why are CAT/CT used in psychology

A
  • to establish sizes of brain regions
  • to identify lesions resulting in loss of neurons
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6
Q

why are PET scans used in psychology

A
  • to establish levels of activity
  • e.g. prefrontal, amygdala links to aggression
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7
Q

why are fMRI used in psychology

A
  • measure emotional resonses in relation to tasks whilts in the scanner
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8
Q

what is the difference between normal MRIs and fMRIs

A

MRIs - look at soft tissue, organ function and blood flow
fMRIs - only the brain

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9
Q

2 strengths and 2 weaknesses of CAT/CT scans

A
  • STRENGTH - gives detailed 3D images for different angles of the brain (before this, psychologists were reliant on post-mortem)
  • STRENGTH - ordinarily non-invasive and painless, dye could be but only to an extent
  • WEAKNESS - only provides a still image, MRIs better for certain issues, CT=skull fractures
  • WEAKNESS - radiation from X rays should be kept to a minimum due to ethical issues
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10
Q

2 strengths and two weaknesses on PET scans

A
  • STRENGTH - allows us to study neurotransmitters due to high sensetivity of detection (allows us to study aspects of the brain)
  • STRENGTH - tested for reliability by repeating scans, found to be reliable
  • WEAKNESS - measures brain functioning not at rest, no baseline measure available - cant compare
  • WEAKNESS - only locate generalised areas of activity, hard to pinpoint exact areas so hard to link specific areas to behaviours
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11
Q

2 strengths and two weaknesses of fMRIs

A
  • STRENGTH - safer than other scans e.g. PET as no invasion, radiation - uses magnetic field instead
  • STRENGTH - produces higher resolution and detection of changes in blood flow - very precise
  • WEAKNESS - cannot measure the brain at rest, no baseline measurment - can’t pin point actual functioning of specific areas
  • WEAKNESS - cannot look at actual receptors of neurotransmitters, but PET scans can
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