In the evolving world we live in, technology allows us to do even more everyday. Some of these advancements include advancements in brain imaging technology. Let’s look at some basic ones and what they can do.
Magnetic Imaging:
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – This type of imaging technique is used to study the possibility of a disease and its course. There are two different magnetic fields: one that cannot be switched on and off and one that can. The patient lies in in a hollow tube (kind of like the ones in sci-fi movies) where their brain gets scanned.
Position Emission Tomography (PET):
This technique measures blood flow and energy consumption in the brain through measuring the amount of radioactivity of the radioactive decay of positrons. This method can help scientists to keep track of disorders and therapy.
Optical Imaging:
Optical Imaging uses lasers that shoot through the skull of see the activity in the brain. They are portable and reactively safe although not as accurate. This data can then be used to track blood flow and therefore map the activity of the brain.
