Brain Imaging Techniques Research Paper

Hess, Christopher. "Exploring the Brain: Is CT Better for Brain Imaging?" UCSF Radiology. Associate Chair for Quality and Safety, 16 Nov. 2015. Web. 09 Mar. 2017. (1)

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

Imaging tests, such as a CT scan or MRI. These are used to create a picture of the brain.

Medical imaging, how interesting is that, it’s a tool that helps go into depth about how the brain is functioning, and how it has developed. Medical imaging has many great and useful resources. Imagine how great it will be if medical imaging would develop even more than we have it today, we can find many new ways of discovering---BEYOND what we have already discovered. According to Kunio Doi in his article titled, “Diagnostic Imaging over the Last 50 years: Research and Development in the Medical Imaging Science and Technology,” indicates “In the last 50 years imaging has grown to a high state of high level;” as a matter of fact technology we have today can become an even more successful resource in a matter of years. Mary Lou Jepsen in her

Computed Tomography imaging also known as CT or a CAT scan, combines a series of x-ray images taken from different angles and uses computer processing to create cross- sectional images also known as slices of the bones, blood vessels, and soft tissue inside the body. The CT scan reveals anatomic details of internal organs that cannot be seen on conventional x-rays. A motorized table moves the patient through a circular opening of the CT scanner known as the gantry which houses the x-ray tube. As the patient passes through the CT system, the x-rays rotates around the opening. A beam of x-rays exposes the patient as the table moves in and out of the scanner in a series of phases. Detectors on the opposite side of the patient record the x-rays exiting that section of the patients’ body. They then produce cross-sectional views or slices. The data is then sent to a computer to reconstruct all of the individual

New functions of the brain are now clear due to new technologies. The positron emission tomography (PET) scan and the functional magnetic resonan imaging (FMRI) scan are two ways of imaging the brain in action. PET scans measure blood flow in the brain. To produce the PET scan, a person is injected with a slightly radioactive substance, unlike the FMRI scan, where an injection isn't necessary. The substance travels through the blood to the brain where it collects in active areas.The scans produce colored maps of brain activity.

Brain-imaging tools, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), allow researchers to have a close look at brain structures and activities.

Computed tomography (CT) scan is a non-invasive medical imagery procedure that combines the use of x-rays and computer to generate tomographic parts of the area scanned. CT scan are also referred as CAT scans and they produce detailed images of structures inside the body such as internal organs and bones. CT scans can be used for treatment, diagnose and monitor condition. CT scans in screening and diagnosis are to detect cancer, determine whether a cancer has spread throughout the body or returned to the body after the treatment, and to determine effects of heart attack or myocardial infection on areas of the heart. Identify areas of the heart muscles that would benefit from a procedure such as angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery.

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.

2. Functional brain mapping (scanning a person's brain while he or she is performing a certain physical task such as squeezing a ball, or looking at a particular type of picture) is helping researchers better understand how the brain works.

Advantages: PET scans and fMRI tests look similar and both measure confined changes in blood structure. They also reveal activity in several of the same brain areas as well as other areas that differed on one or the other. Electroencephalography measures electrical activity in the brain. EEG can detect rapid changes with precision compared to the pet and fMRI. However, fMRI and PET can localize activation within a few millimeters. Using these all together can help to produce images that show exactly when and where neural activity happens.

“A brain CT can help your doctor find damaged brain cells or bleeding on the brain.

The CAT in CAT scan stands for computed axial tomography. Also known as a CT scan, the main thing for you to know about this technology is that it takes multiple scanned images that are each a small “slice” of the overall image desired. These individual images are then assembled in a computer to give one of our veterinary neurology professionals a detailed image of the organ or other body part that we are examining to help us make a diagnosis.

Ct scan of the brain, abdomen and chest: A CT scan is a method, which produces meticulous images of different regions of the body; it also captures images from many different positions.

In a special machine that contains a strong magnet and the part of body being studied is placed inside it for a MRI test. This gives digital images of brain which can be further used for study and reviewed remotely in an operating room. To show particular structure clearly an contrast material is used. [45]