Neuroimaging Techniques in Neuropsychology: CAT, PET, MRI, and fMRI, Slides of Neuroscience

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Scanning and Imaging techniques

in Neuropsychology

CAT, PET, MRI, fMRI

Ananya Gupta

What is Neuroimaging?

Neuroimaging, also known as, brain scanning, is a technique to

visualize and study the living brain, providing insights into structure,

function and neurochemistry.

These techniques are used for diagnosis, monitoring treatment, and

advancing research in fields like neuroscience, psychology and

psychiatry.

Computer Axial Tomography (CAT)

● CAT, also known as, CT scan uses X-rays and computers to create cross-sectional images of the body/brain.

● The scan rotates around the head, taking x-ray images from different angles which a computer processes into 2D slice images.

● Uses: Detecting tumors, strokes, bleeding, clots, etc. Overall structural imaging.

Computer Axial Tomography (CAT)

Advantages: ● Fast ● Cost-effective ● Good differentiation of bone and soft tissue

Limitations: ● Low contrast between grey and white matter ● Exposure to ionizing radiation

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Some techniques based on MRI-

● MRI Spectroscopy- estimates the concentration of specific chemicals and neurotransmitters in the brain.

● Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI)- measures the diffusion of water in tissue and measures the integrity of white matter fiber tracts.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Advantages ● Excellent soft tissue differentiation ● No ionizing radiation exposure ● Imaging in multiple planes

Limitations ● Expensive equipment and scans ● Incompatible with metal implants ● Motion artifacts ● Loud noise

Uses ● Identifying tumors, lesions, abnormalities ● Assessing neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Dementia, etc,. ● Guiding biopsies, therapies, interventions

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

Advantages ● Visualizes biochemical/physiological functioning ● Quantifies processes like metabolism, blood flow, neurotransmitters ● Extremely high sensitivity to radiotracers

Limitations ● Requires expensive on-site cyclotron ● Poor spatial resolution ● Radiation exposure from tracers ● Limited clinical accessibility due to high cost Uses ● Identifies areas of altered neurological function ● Aids cancer detection ● Blood flow/metabolism imaging ● Clinical diagnosis with specialized tracers ● Mapping receptors, enzymes, peptides etc.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

● In this technique, changes in the oxygen levels in the blood is tracked to determine brain’s functioning.

● Most active brain regions can be identified by tracking the blood flow.

● The areas of the brain that are working hardest appear brighter on an fMRI scan.

Some comparisons for better understanding

Some comparisons for better understanding