Brain and behaviour: Techniques (Brain Scanning techniques)

Question 1

EEG

Answer 1

(electroencephalogram)

Electrical activity within the brain

Used to record cognitive processes

Can help us detect epilepsy, sleep disorders and brain tumours

Fast, measures activity in milliseconds

Hard to determine where certain patterns occur.

Question 2

CT

Answer 2

(Computerised tomography)

Uses X rays to show structure of the brain

Shows details such as (blood perfusion/brain structures)

Assesses for brain tumours, and other lesions/injury

Rapidly aquire images

Risk from exposure to ionising radiation

Question 3

MRI

Answer 3

(Magnetic resonance imaging)

Uses strong magnetic field and radio waves to create pictures of tissues/other structures in the brain.

Shows structural problems (which could be correlated with psychological disorders)

No radiation risk

Could be claustrophobic for some

Question 4

fMRI

Answer 4

(Functional magnetic resonance imaging)

Measures brain activity and blood flow

Pinpoints brain activity

Helps to study brain behaviour correlations

Painless/harmless

High costs

Question 5

PET

Answer 5

(Positron emission tomography)

Three dimensional image of functional processes in the brain

Can highlight how well certain functions of the brain are working

Helps to understand neurological and psychological disorders

Safe, helps detect diseases e.g alzheimer’s

False results if chemical imbalances.