Brain Imaging Techniques

CT Scan: Computerized Topograph Scan

MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
fMRI: Functional Magnetic Resonance
Imaging
PET Scan: Positron Emission Tomograph
Scan
EEG: Electroencephalogram
 CT Scans: An x-ray of the brain.

A CT scan is essentially a computerized assembly

of several x-ray images taken from a series of
different angles. With a CT, the resolution is much
better than conventional x-rays, and the detail
that can be seen is much greater.
 Tumor in
Wernickes Area

MRI is a noninvasive imaging technique that does not use

x-rays. The process involves passing a strong magnetic field
through the head. The magnetic field used is 30,000 + times
that of the earth's magnetic field. It's effect on the body,
however, is harmless and temporary. The MRI scanner can
detect radiation from certain molecules, which are present in
different concentrations in different tissues.
P
E
T

S
C
A
N
S
PETmeasurestheemissionofpositronsfromthebrain
afterasmallamountofradioactiveisotopes,ortracers,
havebeeninjectedintothebloodstream.Acommon
exampleisaglucose-relativewithembeddedfluor-18.
Withthismolecule,theactivityofdifferentregionsofthe
braincanbemeasured.Theresultisathree-
dimentionalmapwiththebrainactivityrepresentedby
colors.
P Dopamine

E
T

S
Normal Brain ADHD Brain
C
After I
mp lant of
A D opamin
e-secre
ting Tis
su e
N
S

Brain Development
in First Year of Life
 EEG of Mouse with
Epileptic Seizure

EEG Cap

Deep Sleep Alert

The Evolution of the Brain
The Brain

The Brain
Brainstem
theoldestpartandcentralcoreofthebrain,
beginningwherethespinalcordswellsasit
enterstheskull
responsibleforautomaticsurvivalfunctions
Medulla[muh-DUL-uh]
baseofthebrainstem
controlsheartbeatandbreathing
THALAMUS

It relays to the cerebral cortex

information received from diverse
brain regions. Sort of a requisite
'last pit stop' for information going
to cortex.
Axons from every sensory system
(except olfaction) synapse here as
the last relay site before the
information reaches the cerebral
cortex
 CEREBELLUM

Alcoholims causes brain

shrinkage to the cerebellum
The Limbic System
 Emotion and
Amygdala Memory are closely
A little almond connected.

shaped structure,
connects with the
hippocampus.

Hippocampus
Is particularly involved with
memory phenomena,
specially with the formation
of long-term memory (the
one that, sometimes, lasts
forever).
The pituitary gland may
be king, but the power
behind the throne is clearly
the hypothalamus.
Lobes of the Cerebral Cortex
Motor Sensory
Area Area
 LANGUAGE CENTERS

Disrupts Speaking Disrupts Understanding

Speaking the Written Word Speaking the Heard Word

Angular
Gyrus

Speak & Understand, Unable to Read