Brain imaging makes it possible for doctors and researchers to see the inside of human brain and try to identify a problem or understand why someone is having a given behavior. The technique is heavily used in mental and cancer hospitals.
There are many brain imaging techniques that are certified for use in hospitals and research centers. These techniques include:
MRI
Also known as functional magnetic resonance imaging, this is a technique that measures brain activity. The fMRI machine detects changes in blood oxygenation. The most active areas of the brain consume more oxygen compared to the less active areas.
You can also use the technique to come up with activation maps that show the different areas of the brain that are involved with a given mental process.
PET
Positron emission tomography (PET) makes use of trace amounts of radioactive material in order to map the functional processes in the brain. When the material undergoes radioactive decay, a positron is emitted and picked by the detector. Areas that show high radioactivity prove brain activity.
There are many radioactively-labeled materials that you can use, the most common ones being: nitrogen, carbon, oxygen and fluorine.
The main advantage of this technique is that it provides you with an image of brain activity. The setback of using it is that it can be very expensive especially if you attend a high end hospital. Also, a radioactive material is used which can be harmful to some people.
CT
Computed tomography is a series of X-ray beams passed through the head and images are produced. Bone and tissue absorb X-rays well while water and air absorb it poorly; therefore, you are able to get clear cross-sectional images of the brain. You should note that this technique gives you the structure of the brain, but not its function.
EEG
Electroencephalography is a technique that measures the electrical activity of the brain. It does this by recording the electrodes placed on the scalp.
The technique is non-invasive and often used in research projects. It's adored by many people due to its high temporal resolution. Studies have shown that the technique is able to detect changes in electrical activity in the brain in millisecond levels.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging detects radio frequency signals produced by displaced radio waves in a magnetic field. There are a number of advantages that come with it. One of the advantages is that no x-ray or radioactive material is used. It's also non-invasive thus you don't have to worry of pain.
Through the technique doctors and researchers are able to get detailed views of the brain in different dimensions.
NIRS
Near infrared spectroscopy is an optical technique that measures blood oxygenation in the brain. The doctor shines light in the near infrared part of the spectrum (700-900nm) through the skull and detects the amount of remerging light.
Conclusion
Different brain imaging techniques have different capabilities. You should do your research and settle on the technique that gives you the most details. Article Source
There are many brain imaging techniques that are certified for use in hospitals and research centers. These techniques include:
MRI
Also known as functional magnetic resonance imaging, this is a technique that measures brain activity. The fMRI machine detects changes in blood oxygenation. The most active areas of the brain consume more oxygen compared to the less active areas.
You can also use the technique to come up with activation maps that show the different areas of the brain that are involved with a given mental process.
PET
Positron emission tomography (PET) makes use of trace amounts of radioactive material in order to map the functional processes in the brain. When the material undergoes radioactive decay, a positron is emitted and picked by the detector. Areas that show high radioactivity prove brain activity.
There are many radioactively-labeled materials that you can use, the most common ones being: nitrogen, carbon, oxygen and fluorine.
The main advantage of this technique is that it provides you with an image of brain activity. The setback of using it is that it can be very expensive especially if you attend a high end hospital. Also, a radioactive material is used which can be harmful to some people.
CT
Computed tomography is a series of X-ray beams passed through the head and images are produced. Bone and tissue absorb X-rays well while water and air absorb it poorly; therefore, you are able to get clear cross-sectional images of the brain. You should note that this technique gives you the structure of the brain, but not its function.
EEG
Electroencephalography is a technique that measures the electrical activity of the brain. It does this by recording the electrodes placed on the scalp.
The technique is non-invasive and often used in research projects. It's adored by many people due to its high temporal resolution. Studies have shown that the technique is able to detect changes in electrical activity in the brain in millisecond levels.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging detects radio frequency signals produced by displaced radio waves in a magnetic field. There are a number of advantages that come with it. One of the advantages is that no x-ray or radioactive material is used. It's also non-invasive thus you don't have to worry of pain.
Through the technique doctors and researchers are able to get detailed views of the brain in different dimensions.
NIRS
Near infrared spectroscopy is an optical technique that measures blood oxygenation in the brain. The doctor shines light in the near infrared part of the spectrum (700-900nm) through the skull and detects the amount of remerging light.
Conclusion
Different brain imaging techniques have different capabilities. You should do your research and settle on the technique that gives you the most details. Article Source
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