Brain Scans

Question 1

MRI

Answer 1

Produce 2D images by using a magnetic field to move atoms, which then causes the atoms to send electromagnetic signals that are picked up and created into images

Question 2

MRI Strengths

Answer 2

No harmful radiation, better for repeat scans + pregnant people, unlike PET scans

Question 3

MRI Limitations

Answer 3

Can be uncomfortable for children or people with disabilities due to needing to be still

Expensive so not widely available in many hospitals

Question 4

PET

Answer 4

Involves injecting glucose tracer which is then metabolised by brain to view activity

Question 5

PET Strengths

Answer 5

People find less claustrophobic than MRI so more accessible to more ranges of people

Able to move unlike in MRI scans

Only scan producing 3D images

Question 6

PET Limitations

Answer 6

Tracer can’t be used on pregnant women or people with disabilities

Can’t have repeated PET scans due to tracer, unlike with MRI

Question 7

EEG

Answer 7

Electrodes placed on scalp, send electrical impulses to see activity, activity translated onto a graph

Question 8

EEG Strengths

Answer 8

More accessible and cheaper than PET and MRI

Safer due to no tracer involved, like MRI

Question 9

EEG Limitations

Answer 9

Poor spatial resolution so a cannot accurately see location of brain activity

Activity often detected in several brain areas at once so confusing to interpret