A Research Study On Pet Scans

A fresh human brain does not resemble the stereotypical fixated human brain typically seen in textbooks or diagrams. Instead, a fresh human brain is rich in vasculature, extending across the entire surface of the brain. The brain, in a sense, is greedy, requiring twenty percent of the oxygen coming from the lungs and twenty percent of the blood pumped by the heart. Recently, the brain’s greediness has led to advances in medical brain imaging technology. The PET scan maps the amount blood flow through specific areas of the brain, allowing researchers to localize particular functions to precise areas of the brain. In the TED talk, Dr. Allen explains the function of the cerebellum, temporal cortex, and frontal lobe – areas of the brain whose functions were determined using PET scan.

     The brain function being studied during a PET scan determines which positron-emitting radiopharmaceutical is used. Oxygen-15 can be used to label oxygen gas for the study of oxygen metabolism, carbon monoxide for the study of blood volume, or water for the study of blood flow in the brain. Similarly, fluorine-18 can be attached to a glucose molecule to produce 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) for use in the observation of the brain’s sugar metabolism.

Different maps are taken of the brain in order to determine if there are any problems with the brain. An electroencephalogram (EEG) is used an amplified read out of the brain waves. A magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI) gives a detailed picture of the brain’s soft tissues. It also shows the structure of the brain. A function magnetic resonance imaging scan or function MRI (fMRI) shows the function of parts of the brain as well as the brain’s structure. It also has the ability to show when a person is lying. Scientists also use a neuroimaging technique called a positron emission tomography scan (PET scan) to view the brain. (Barron’s AP Psychology 6th Edition) The PET scan shows each brain area’s consumption of chemical fuel which is glucose. There is a scale for the PET scan to determine activity in the brain when performing a certain action. The colors range from purple to red, purple represents no activity while red represents very high activity. The PET scan can

The PET scan also will show two and three-dimensional images of the brain; however, the PET scan measures brain activity. This is done by injecting radioactive isotopes into the blood stream. The isotopes attach to

Heyman states, “In a most impressive display of brain technology, scientists have used scanning technologies to observe metabolic activity of the brain in action. In a typical

When a patient goes in for an EEG, the location the electrode will be place on is cleaned and hair is parted. The number of electrodes placed on the scalp is normally between 12 and 20 depending on the purpose of the EGG. PET - Define: According to Brian Krans of Healthline, PET scans, or Positron Emission Tomography, are a type of imaging technique that uses radioactive tracer dye to analyze different organ function. The dye is injected via a vain in the arm and absorbs into organs and upon scanning, a doctor can see how well that organ is working.

Schizophrenia is a psychological disease with an unknown treatment. Its onset starts in early adult hood on average. There are many studies showing links to genetics and environmental causes. In this paper I will discuss many of the signs and symptoms of schizophrenia along with how it is diagnosed, imaged with MRI, and the difficulty in treating this disease. More treatments for schizophrenia may be revealed with the further advancement of imaging technology. Schizophrenia is a disease that affects the most complex structure in the human body, the human brain. The more research that is continued on the smaller segments of the different areas of the brain with imaging modalities the closer we get to

“New test and machines also enabled researchers to study the structure of schizophrenic brains.” There were studies done to compare those of a normal brains and ones affected by Schizophrenia, it showed several structural differences. “The most common finding was the enlargement of the lateral ventricles, which are

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - This technique uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images in cross section of the brain. The MRI machine allows producing 3-D images that can be viewed from different angles.

First, in the summer of my junior year I was fascinated by one of the most complex organs of the human body, the brain. Whether it was books on Alzheimer’s or studies published on the brain’s capacity, this organ never ceased to amaze me. At this level of excitement I began to proactively look into neurology labs. I emailed over hundreds of researchers who had labs in which I was interested in. After looking

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron-emission tomography (PET) are both non-invasive tools used to map brain functions and screen for diseases. MRI scans produce clear and detailed images of one’s brain structure by detecting/transmitting/displaying radio signals into an image. By looking into soft tissue they can analyze if parts of the brain are not functioning properly. For example, if someone experienced head trauma an MRI could detect swelling or bleeding. PET scans monitor the consumption of radioactively labeled glucose in the brain, and represents the different activity level using different colours. If activity level is low it could mean there is damage of sorts, or the brain isn’t functioning properly. These devices have

The following are some examples that are detected by this diagnostic tool: cancer, brain disorders, heart problems and problems in the central nervous system (Healthline, 2015). One of the brain disorders that PET can detect is Alzheimer’s disease. The patient would be advised not to eat or drink anything for 4-6 hours prior to the exam. The patient is injected with a dye called a radioisotope to demonstrate the function of a body part to rule out a diagnosis. Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is the most common radioisotope used in PET. After the patient is injected, the radioisotope is absorbed by the tissues and organs (Dolson, L., 2001). When PET is used as a diagnostic tool for cancer, the clinician is then able to see how the malignant tumor is developing or if it has moved to other areas. It also allows the clinician to see how the malignancy is reacting to chemotherapy. PET scans show problems at the cellular level, therefore giving your clinician the best possible view of complex systemic diseases (Healthline, 2015). The tracers are normally out of the patient’s system within two days after a PET scan, but the patient should drink plenty of fluids afterward to help speed up the process of expelling the tracer.

There are several technologies to allow researchers to create structural images of the brain. We can use computerised tomography and magnetic resonance imaging to produce a series of X-rays of the brain with the MRI this does produce much higher definition pictures more helpful because it goes beyond just the structural data. Newer techniques like the position emission tomography and functional magnetic resonance imagery. Where the pet requires the participant or patient to ingest a radioactive substance that many if not all participants in a research study may be, are very unwilling do.

Positron emission tomograph (PET) is a medical imaging procedure that provides unique information about how an organ or system in the body is functioning. PET scans are mainly used to assess cancers, neurological diseases and cardiovascular disease. PET scan involves the injection of a small amount of a ‘positron-emitting’ radioactive material, often referred to as a radiopharmaceutical. Images of the body are then taken using a PET scanner. The camera used is able to detect emissions coming from the injected radiopharmaceutical. The specialised computer attached to the camera manipulates the image creating two and three-dimensional images of the area that is being examined. Areas where the injected radiopharmaceutical gathers appear much ‘brighter’

An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a scan that uses a system of techniques, involving magnetism, radio waves and a computer to generate detailed images of the human body. Essentially, it is a tube encased by a large circular magnet. The patient would be placed on a moveable bed, which is then inserted into the tube. The magnet then creates a strong magnetic field that aligns the protons of hydrogen atoms. These hydrogen atoms come from the human body, which is 50-65% H2O. These atoms are exposed to a beam of radio waves. This spins the various protons of the body. As they spin, they produce a slight