PSY 1101 - Chapter 03: Biology & Neuroscience (Pt. 3) Flashcards
What are CT Scans?
Computerized Tomography
Uses x-rays that pass through the body, and can generate images of “slices” of the body
What are the Advantages to CT Scans?
Fast, cheap, and noninvasive
What are the Disadvantages to CT Scans?
- Radiation exposure
- Doesn’t allow us to see the brain in action, just the structure
What is an Example of Use of CT Scans?
Detect changes in structure due to disease
What is MRI?
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Uses magnetic fields to image alignments of hydrogen ions (different tissues have different amounts of water)
- Exposure to very powerful magnetic fields
What are the Advantages to MRI?
Noninvasive, great precision, no radiation
What are the Disadvantages to MRI?
- Really expensive, cannot have biomedical devices or metal in patients
- Can only see structure of brain
What is an Example of MRI Use?
Detect changes in structure due to disease
What is fMRI?
Functional MRI
Uses magnetic fields to image alignments of hydrogen ions (different tissues have different amounts of water)
- Exposure to very powerful magnetic fields
What are the Advantages to fMRI?
Noninvasive, no radiation, no injections or ingestions
What are the Disadvantages to fMRI?
Cardiovascular disease or compromised function can make measurements unreliable; delay between stimulus and output
What is an Example of fMRI Use?
Can measure activation during a task or following stimulation
What is a DTI?
Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Tracks and images water movement along neural pathways, and can measure density of neural tracts (bundles of axons)
What are the Advantages of DTI?
Noninvasive, no radiation, no injections or ingestions needed
What are the Disadvantages of DTI?
The interpretation can be difficult in tracts that have different kinds of fibers
What is an Example of DTI Use?
Study white matter degeneration in disease
What is a PET / SPECT?
Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography
Uses an ingested radioactive compound to track molecular changes
- inject a radioactive substance