Brain Imaging

Question 1

EEG (electroencephalogram)

Answer 1

Recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brains surface. Waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp

Question 2

CT (computed tomography) scan

Answer 2

Series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by the computes in to a composite representation of a slice of the brains structure (3-D image)

Question 3

PET (positron emission tomography) scan

Answer 3

Visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task

Question 4

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

Answer 4

Technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce counter generated images of soft tissue (3-D pic of brain more detailed than CAT scan)

Question 5

fMRI (functional MRI)

Answer 5

A technique for revealing blood flow and brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. Show brain function as well as its structure