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Name Steven Zhou Date 10/2/12

Scanning the BrainExplore the different technologies used to explore the brain and record the information in the chart below.

Technology How it WorksInformation it

ProvidesAdvantages/Drawbacks

CAT (or CT)Scanning(computerizedaxial tomography)

CAT Scans takes a conventional

x-ray and makes threedimensions models of apatients interior. These 3-Dmodels are then examined bydoctors

Provides clear

pictures of theorgans, bones, blood

vessels which can beused to assess theproblem

Advantages: Higher Resoluti

Not invasive, Can help diagnmedical conditions, providemore details than a normal xray, time-efficentDrawbacks: Dangerous topregnant women and childreoveruse of CAT scans canincrease cancer risk

EEG

(electro-encephalograph)

Electrodes are placed either onthe scalps. These electrodes arethen connected to an apparatuscalled an

electroencephalograph, whichis connected to anotherapparatus that convertselectrical and mental impulsesinto the drawing of a pen onpaper

Provides anassessment andevaluation of braindisorders. Provides

information relatedto people who sufferbrain functionality.Also used todetermine braindeath

Advantages: Cost-effective,time-efficient, and a benign

way to check the functioningmultiple areas of the brain

Disadvantages: Not veryspecific and precise. Is onlycapable of measuring activitygeneral parts of the brain

MEG(magneto-encephalography)

Records small magnetic fieldsthat are produced by electricalactivity within the brain. Ahelmet is worn which scans formagnetic activity in theparticipants brain

Measures magneticfields as opposed toelectrical activity

Advantages: Non-invasive,magnetic fields are not affect

by surrounding brainstructures, high spatialresolutionDisadvantages: The signals o

MEG are very small, requirinto eliminate magneticinterference found in a normenvironment

MRI and fMRI(magneticresonance imagingand functionalmagneticresonanceimaging)

Uses a magnetic field andwaves to produce detailedpictures of the body.Information is next sent to acomputer which computes allthe signals and creates a 3-Dimage out of it.

Determines theseverity and extent ofan injury

Advantages: Very specific, hiresolution, helpful, non-invasive, no exposure toradiation, can show soft tissustructuresDisadvantages: Very expensican make patients feelclaustrophobic, affected byslight movement

PET (PositronEmissionTomography)

Uses radiation to make threedimensional images of thefunctional processes of a body.Radioactive medicine is madeand then turned into a naturalchemical, which is turn placedinto the human body

Show the range ofblood flow, oxygenusage, and otherinternal bodilyprocesses. Alsoprovides evaluationsof seizures

Advantages: Small movemendo not affect the scansDisadvantage: Does not displthe image as clearly and sharas an MRI would. Exposespatients to radioactive isotopScans are also expensive

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