Brain Imaging Techniques

Brain imaging has many roles in health care and makes the jobs of
diagnosticians easier. Some uses of brain imaging techniques include:

 identifying the effects of a stroke

 locating cysts and tumors
 finding swelling and bleeding

Doctors use a particular type of imaging method based on what they

need to see in your brain. For example, if you are experiencing
symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), your doctor can order an MRI
scan to detect or rule out MS lesions. On the other hand, if you want
to check for broken bones, they are more visible on a CT scan.

Brain imaging can also connect certain mental health issues to

biological causes as well. According to a 2020 study, people with high
levels of anxiety also displayed differences in brain connectivity when
compared to people without anxiety. In addition, brain imaging can
detect conditions such as early-stage psychosis.

Neuroimaging techniques include structural and

functional imaging.
Structural imaging produces a detailed image of brain
structures of the brain.
It includes MRI, and CT scan.
Functional imaging measures changes in the activity of
different brain region by recording the changes in brain
physiology.
It includes PET, FMRI, and EEG.

Structural Functional
MRI, CT scans. PET, FMRI, EEG
allows researchers to link the activity of specific brain
allows clinician to diagnose brain injury and
areas to behavior and cognitive functioning.
neurodegenerative disease like dementia. they also give researchers a unique insight into the
indentify bleeding, swelling, and tumors, differences in brain functioning between a healthy
and see the extend of the damage of person and a person with a neurological disease.
following a stroke. ex. to investigate which brain areas are involved
when we are listening to music, researchers can use
ex. structural imaging technique can be FMRI scan and seee what brain areas light up in
used to see if someone suffered brain people when they listen to music compared to when
damage after an accident. they listen to different noises.

1. Structural :-

 CT scan
A computerized tomography (CT) scan is a series of X-ray images converted into cross-sectional images of
your brain. These X-rays are combined to form cross-sectional slices or even a 3-D model of your brain. The
results of a CT scan can also provide more detail than a standard X-ray.

During CT scan, a person is exposed to X-ray radiation since different tissues in brain (bone, brain matter or
cerebral spinal fluid) differ in their absorption of the radiation, they will appear differently on the scan.

Structures that absorb the most radiation look the brightest on the scan, while structures absorbing least
radiation are much darker. CT visualizes the X-ray absorption over the different slices of brain, which allows
precise localization of abnormalities.

Ex- clinicians use CT scans to visualize abnormalities in bone structure in the brain.

CT scans can:

 find certain types of brain injuries

 identify cancer
 locate brain swelling or bleeding
 reveal structural brain changes from schizophrenia

merits:
  The risk of radiation exposure from CT is very small compared with the
benefit of a well-planned surgery.
 short study time (15 to 20 minutes) with high quality images
 CT scans are almost half the price of MRIs.
 CT scans are much quieter than MRIs, and you won’t need ear protection during the
procedure.

demerits:
 The amount of radiation you experience from a computed tomography scan can be up to 1,000 times more than
you get from an x-ray.

 While CT has advantages, it is not perfect. The amount of radiation you experience from a
computed tomography scan can be up to 1,000 times more than you get from an x-ray.
Even at these levels, the radiation is a small dose, but if you require multiple scans over
your lifetime, it can add up. Despite costing less, CT images don’t capture as many details
as MRIs, and the doctor may miss some crucial pieces of information.
 While CT machines can accommodate larger patients, there is still a limit. Traditional
scanners can allow for patients up to 450 pounds, depending on the model. The patient’s
back to front measurement across the widest point should also measure less than 28
inches.

MRI
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a medical imaging technique that uses strong
magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of organs, soft tissues,
bones, and other internal body structures. Unlike X-rays and CT scans, MRI does not
use ionizing radiation.
MRI is a versatile tool that can be used to diagnose a wide range of medical conditions,
including:
* Musculoskeletal injuries, such as torn ligaments or fractures
* Tumors and cancers
* Heart disease
* Stroke
* Neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis or Alzheimer's disease
* Infections
MRI scans are painless and typically take 30 to 60 minutes to complete. However, they
can be expensive and are not suitable for people with certain medical conditions, such
as claustrophobia or implants containing metal.

MRI Advantages:
* Detailed images: MRIs provide highly detailed pictures of organs, soft tissues, and
bones, allowing for better diagnosis of many conditions.
 * No radiation: Unlike X-rays and CT scans, MRIs don't use ionizing radiation, making
them safer for patients, especially those who may need repeated scans.
* Functional imaging: Certain MRI techniques can assess organ function, not just
structure.
MRI Disadvantages:
* Cost: MRI scans are expensive compared to other imaging techniques.
* Claustrophobia: The enclosed nature of the MRI machine can cause anxiety or
claustrophobia in some patients.
* Not for everyone: People with certain medical implants or claustrophobia may not be
suitable candidates for MRI scans.
* Time-consuming: MRI scans can take longer than some other imaging tests.

Functional techniques

PET

A positron emission tomography (PET) scan uses a radioactive tracer that attaches to the glucose in your
bloodstream. Since your brain uses glucose as its primary fuel source, the tracer accumulates in areas of
higher brain activity.

A PET scan is able to see these tracers and observe how they move and accumulate in your brain. This allows
doctors to see trouble spots where glucose isn’t moving correctly.

PET brain scan is a functional imaging technique that measures brain activity by recording the changes in
blood flow to different brain areas. More blood flow indicates greater activity.

PET scans can evaluate:

 seizures
 Alzheimer’s
 tumors
A PET scan (positron emission tomography) is a nuclear medicine imaging technique
that helps evaluate organ function and detect diseases like cancer, heart problems,
and neurological disorders. It involves injecting a radioactive tracer into the body,
which is then taken up by cells with high metabolic activity. A PET scanner detects
the gamma rays emitted by the tracer and creates detailed images of the body.

Merits of PET Scans:

* Highly sensitive: PET scans are more sensitive than traditional imaging
techniques like X-rays or CT scans for detecting certain diseases, especially
cancers.
 * Functional information: PET scans provide functional information about organs,
showing how well they are working.

* Early detection: PET scans can help detect diseases at an early stage, when they
are more treatable.

Demerits of PET Scans:

* Radiation exposure: PET scans involve exposure to ionizing radiation, which can
increase the risk of cancer.

* Cost: PET scans are more expensive than traditional imaging techniques.

* Limited availability: PET scans are not as widely available as other imaging
techniques.

* Not suitable for everyone: PET scans are not suitable for pregnant women,
breastfeeding women, and people with certain medical conditions.

 Less precise than FMRI.

 FMRI:-

fMRI

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can detect changes in blood flow and oxygen levels that result
from your brain’s activity. It uses the magnetic field of the scanner to affect the magnetic nuclei of hydrogen
atoms, so they can be measured and converted into images.

MRIs display anatomic structure and fMRIs measure metabolic function.

fMRIs have many uses, such as:

 assessing brain activity

 finding brain abnormalities
 creating pre-surgical brain maps
fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) is a type of brain scan that measures
brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow. When a part of your brain is active, it
requires more oxygen and blood flow increases to that area. By measuring these blood
flow changes, fMRI can indirectly map which parts of the brain are involved in specific
tasks or functions.
Merits of fMRI:
 * Non-invasive: fMRI is a safe and painless procedure that does not involve any
radiation exposure.
* High resolution: fMRI can produce detailed images of the brain, allowing doctors to
pinpoint the location of brain activity.
* Wide range of applications: fMRI can be used for a variety of purposes, including
studying brain function in healthy people, diagnosing neurological disorders, and
planning surgery.
Demerits of fMRI:
* Indirect measure: fMRI measures blood flow, which is an indirect measure of brain
activity. This means that fMRI results can be difficult to interpret.
* Expensive: fMRI scans are expensive to perform.
* Claustrophobia: The MRI machine used for fMRI scans is a small, enclosed space,
which can cause claustrophobia in some people.

EEG

An electroencephalography (EEG) test measures your brain waves. Before the scan, clinicians will attach small
electrodes to your scalp that are attached to wires. These electrodes detect electrical activity in your brain and
send it to a computer where it creates a graph-like image. Each type of frequency appears on its own line and
gives your doctor information about your brain activity.

EEG can detect issues such as:

 anxiety
 head injuries
 epilepsy
 sleep disruption

MEG

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) measures the magnetic field from neuron electrical activity. This type of scan
can locate and identify malfunctioning neurons in your brain. Doctors use MEG to evaluate both spontaneous
brain activity, as well as neuronal responses triggered by stimuli.

MEG allows doctors to assess areas such as:

 epilepsy sources
 motor areas
 sensory areas
 language and vision