Functional brain imaging Flashcards
What does functional brain imaging do
Detects which parts of the brain are active
What does an fMRI do
Form of MRI that measure blood flow to the brain
When do certain areas of the brain get more blood
When neurones are active that is greater blood flow to their active region
Why is their greater blood flow to areas where neurones are active
Neurones use up more oxygen in aerobic respiration when active so require more blood
What happens to blood when it loses oxygen
Their is a change from oxyhaemoglobin to deoxyhaemoglobin
What is the difference between oxyhaemoglobin and deoxyhaemoglobin in terms of radio signals
Oxyhaemoglobin can absorb high-frequency radio signals, but deoxyhaemoglobin cannot
How can oxyhaemoglobin properties be used in fMRI
We can use it to determine where in the brain the oxygen is being used up and therefor determine which parts are most active
What do PET scans use to image the brain activity
Radioactive decay of certain isotopes
What are isotopes
Atoms with a different number of neutrons
Which isotopes are usually used in PET scans
Carbon - 11
How is this carbon - 11 used
Injected into person and through normal metabolism the isotopes make their way into biological molecules like glucose
Why will active areas of the brain receive more of these carbon 11 isotopes
If they are in glucose, more glucose is transported to working areas of the brain as they carry out more aerobic respiration
