Top 4 Ways To Scan Your Brain
There are several different ways of performing a brain test. Scanning the brain is called neuroimaging. These brain test methods are used to diagnose diseases, assess brain health, and also conduct research on different parts of the brain and what they do. Here are 4 types of brain test and how they work.
CT Scan
CT scan is also known as CAT scan. It’s a non-invasive body scanning method and it’s also used as a brain test. It uses both x-ray technology and a sophisticated computer system to see inside the body. This computer system is what makes it different from a regular x-ray.
This type of brain test gives more detail. It’s especially good at detecting and monitoring cancerous growths. CT scan is also useful for assessing the location and extent of brain injuries.
MRI
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is also a non-invasive scanning technique. It uses a magnetic field and radio wave energy pulses to create a computer image. MRI presents a clearer picture with more detail than CT scans. Another advantage is that it doesn’t emit any radiation; this makes it completely safe with no side effects.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a method of brain test that uses radioactive atoms. These atoms, called “radionuclides,” decay quickly and emit gamma radiation which can be measured and monitored on a computer. First, they inject a small amount of glucose-containing the nuclides into your body; then, they monitor the decay. A very small amount is used so it’s completely safe. This method is especially useful for showing the chemical structure and functions of the brain.
MagnetoEncephaloGraphy (MEG)
MagnetoEncephaloGraphy records magnetic fields that occur naturally in the brain in order to map it. This method can be used as a brain test but is most often used in researching different areas of the brain. As a brain test, it is usually used as a diagnostic tool, allowing doctors to perfectly map out their surgery before they start. Because it measures electrical currents, it’s also good for treating epilepsy. It works in much the same way as electroencephalography (EEG) does, but is much more accurate.
A brain test can tell doctors where a problem is located in the brain. It can be used successfully to diagnose injuries and illnesses that affect the brain. A brain test is also an essential component in treating cancerous growths in the brain.
These tests are also used in “brain mapping” since they present an accurate picture of what’s going on inside the brain. Most of what we know about the brain, it’s functioning, and diseases that affect it comes out of brain test technology. Neuroimaging has come a long way from the x-ray.
