CAT Scans
A CAT scan (computed tomography) scan can be used to scan the brain and
produce detailed images of its structure and function. A CT scan of the brain
is also known as a head CT scan.
During the procedure, the patient lies on a table that is slid into the CT
scanner. The patient is typically asked to hold still and keep the head in a
specific position, as the X-ray source and detector rotate around the head.
The scanner captures multiple images of the brain from different angles,
which are then sent to a computer.
The computer uses the information to create detailed cross-sectional images
of the brain. These images can reveal the presence of tumors, blood clots,
and other abnormalities. CT scans can also be used to identify damage from
head injuries, strokes, and other conditions.
A CT scan of the brain can also be done with contrast, which is a special dye
that is injected into the patient’s bloodstream before the scan. The dye helps
to highlight certain structures in the brain, such as blood vessels, tumors, or
infection.
Evaluation
CAT scans are widely available and do not require specialised
equipment, which makes it a convenient method of imaging the brain.
CAT scans give objective data as the computer forms an image from
the scan, so increasing the reliability of the results from the CAT scan
as the results are not subjective.
CAT scans emit radiation which means they can be harmful to some
people, therefore they may cause harm to some people such as the
foetus if a woman does not know she is pregnant.
PET Scans
A PET scan can be used to scan the brain and produce detailed images of its
function and activity. During the procedure, the patient is injected with a
small amount of a radioactive substance, called a tracer, which is typically a
form of glucose (FDG). This tracer will emit positrons that will collide with
electrons in the brain tissue, and when the collision occur, gamma rays are
emitted. These gamma rays are detected by the PET scanner, which creates
detailed images of the brain’s activity and function.
The tracer is taken up by cells that are active and consuming glucose, and
the PET scanner will detect the gamma rays and create an image of the
active brain areas. This allows the doctors to identify areas of the brain that
are not functioning properly, such as in cases of Alzheimer’s disease, brain
tumours, and other neurological disorders.
PET scans can also be combined with a CT scan, which provides detailed
images of the brain’s structure, to create a more detailed picture of the brain
and its function.
Evaluation
PET scans are not widely available and it can be expensive.
PET scans are not used on children or pregnant women and are
therefore unable to measure the relationship between biological factors
and behaviour in these groups which is a slight limitation of this
technique.
PET scans can not be used on everyone, and some people are allergic
to the radioactive tracer.
fMRI Scan
An fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) scan is a type of medical
imaging that is used to produce detailed images of the brain’s activity and
function. It works by measuring changes in blood flow and oxygenation in the
brain, which can indicate which areas of the brain are active and working.
During an fMRI scan, the patient lies on a table that is slid into a large
cylindrical machine, called a scanner. The scanner uses a strong magnetic
field and radio waves to produce detailed images of the brain’s structure. As
the patient lies in the scanner, they will be asked to perform a specific task,
such as looking at pictures or solving math problems, while the scanner
captures images of the brain.
The scanner detects changes in blood flow and oxygenation, which occur
when an area of the brain is active. The scanner then creates detailed
images of the brain’s activity, which can be used to identify areas of the
brain that are not functioning properly, such as in cases of stroke, brain
injury, or neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s disease or PTSD.
Evaluation
An advantage of fMRI is that is non-invasive. Unlike other scanning
techniques, for example Positron Emission Tomography (PET), fMRI
does not use radiation or involve inserting instruments directly into the
brain, and is therefore virtually risk-free. Consequently, this should
allow more patients/participants to undertake fMRI scans which could
help psychologists to gather further data on the functioning human
brain and therefore develop our understanding of localisation of
function.
fMRI scans have good spatial resolution. Spatial resolution refers to
the smallest feature (or measurement) that a scanner can detect, and
is an important feature of brain scanning techniques. Greater spatial
resolution allows psychologists to discriminate between different brain
regions with greater accuracy.
fMRI scans do not provide a direct measure of neural activity. fMRI
scans simply measure changes in blood flow and therefore it is
impossible to infer causation (at a neural level). While any change in
blood flow may indicate activity within a certain brain area,
psychologists are unable to conclude whether this brain region is
associated with a particular function.
fMRI scans are safer than PET scans as they do not use radiation, so
maybe more useful for researching human behaviour.
However, it is relatively expensive and the results can be influenced by
factors such as head movement, susceptibility artefacts and the
presence of metal in the body.
