Brain Scans

Question 1

CAT Scan

Answer 1

Uses X-Rays to create images of the body
Lies inside circular scanner that rotates around them
Each image is a cross-section and these ‘slices’ are then combined

Question 2

PET Scan

Answer 2

Measures metabolic activity in the brain

Injected with a radioactive tracer and the areas of the brain being used are detected by the scanner

Question 3

fMRI Scan

Answer 3

Uses radio waves to measure blood oxygen levels in the brain
Shows which areas of the brain being used
Turns ‘slices’ into a 3d image

Question 4

CAT Scan eval.

Answer 4

Pros
Creates high quality images that can be used to detect abnormal structures such as tumours

Cons
Require more radiation than traditional X-Rays, so cant be used often
Only provide structural information, not info on what parts of the brain are active like PET and fMRIs

Question 5

PET Scan eval.

Answer 5

Pros
Show areas of the brain that are used at any time

Cons
Results not always easy to interpret. Some identical tasks show different brain activity in different people
Can only be carried out once every 6 months. Injection is invasive

Question 6

fMRI Scan eval.

Answer 6

Pros
Shows areas of the brain active during tasks
Doesn’t use radiation like PET and CAT scans
Extremely clear images

Cons
Expensive
Only effective if ppt. stays perfectly still, this limits use on children