Recent advances in brain-imaging technology have allowed researchers to study the brain at the bioloigcal level of analysis (BLOA). The MRI, fMRI, PET, and CAT are some of the most elaborate brain technologies used today. They are especially important in neuropsychology, in that they have allowed researchers to study the theory of localization of function, which states that for every human function there is a physical correlate in the brain. Each scanner is unique to specific cases and has its advantages and disadvantages. This essay will discuss these different imageing technologies and how they have contributed to the field of neuroscience.
Unlike an EEG (electroencephalogram), a PET scan allows scientists to view the physical brain, as …show more content…
(1995) is an important study which implemented the PET. The conclusion of this study was that there is more activity in the part of the brain which correlates to violence in men compared to women, which explains why men are generally associated with violence rather than women. Not only did this study correlate violenec to a certain part of the brain, but it also introduced the theory that the brains of men and women are different.
Unlike a PET scan, an MRI and fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) scan only shows the brain at the time when the image was taken. An MRI uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create images, not only of the brain, but of the whole body as well. The difference between an MRI and fMRI is that the fMRI used blood flow to detect brain discrepancies. This allows researchers to view the metabolic level of brain function rather than just the anatomy of the brain. The advantage of MRI scans compared to PET scans is that they provide higher resolution …show more content…
It works by causing x-rays to pass through the soft body material and create images of the bones. This technology, like the MRI, can take scans of the whole body as well. A large advantage of the CAT scan is that it can take an image of the whole body in less than half an hour. The machine is also less restrictive than an MRI scanner, which requires no motion from the patient. The disadvantage of the CAT scan is that the x-ray submission can be harmful to children and pregnant women, and consistent CAT scans can lead to radiation
Unlike an EEG (electroencephalogram), a PET scan allows scientists to view the physical brain, as …show more content…
(1995) is an important study which implemented the PET. The conclusion of this study was that there is more activity in the part of the brain which correlates to violence in men compared to women, which explains why men are generally associated with violence rather than women. Not only did this study correlate violenec to a certain part of the brain, but it also introduced the theory that the brains of men and women are different.
Unlike a PET scan, an MRI and fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) scan only shows the brain at the time when the image was taken. An MRI uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create images, not only of the brain, but of the whole body as well. The difference between an MRI and fMRI is that the fMRI used blood flow to detect brain discrepancies. This allows researchers to view the metabolic level of brain function rather than just the anatomy of the brain. The advantage of MRI scans compared to PET scans is that they provide higher resolution …show more content…
It works by causing x-rays to pass through the soft body material and create images of the bones. This technology, like the MRI, can take scans of the whole body as well. A large advantage of the CAT scan is that it can take an image of the whole body in less than half an hour. The machine is also less restrictive than an MRI scanner, which requires no motion from the patient. The disadvantage of the CAT scan is that the x-ray submission can be harmful to children and pregnant women, and consistent CAT scans can lead to radiation