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PET scans (function)
Another example of a functional scanner is the PET scanner. Before a PET scan begins, a
patient is given a safe dose of a radioactive tracer compound and a modified glucose molecule
(FDG). The injected FDG enters the bloodstream, where it can travel to the brain. If a particular
area of the brain is more active, more glucose will be needed there. When more glucose is
used, more radioactive material is absorbed.
The PET scanner measures energy that is emitted when positrons (positively charged particles)
from the radioactive material collide with electrons (negatively charged particles) in the person's
brain. The scan usually takes between 30 minutes and two hours. A computer turns this
information into multicolored, two- or three-dimensional images. The result is a picture showing
which parts of the brain were most active. The color of each dot shows the intensity of the
energy signal. Red indicates the highest intensityin other words, the area of greatest brain
activity.
PET scans provide precise localization of brain activity, which is of great interest to
psychologists studying the correlations between brain activity and cognitive processing
Strengths and limitations of PET Scans
PET can gain information about the brain structure and function of conscious patients who may
be able to perform psychological tasks.
The scans are reliable and provide quantitative as well as qualitative data for the researcher.
The PET scan is very expensive

The PET has relatively poor spatial resolution
It also requires a small amount of radioactive material be injected into the participant. This in
and of itself is not dangerous, but it is still radioactive and is a risk to which the participant would
otherwise not be subjected.
Structural imaging: MRI

The development of several different diagnostic machines which can be used to investigate the
brains structure and activity has revolutionized neuropsychological research. The MRI
(Magnetic Resonance Imaging) gives a three-dimensional picture of the brain structures. MRI
detects changes in blood flow without using a radioactive tracer. It uses magnetic fields and
radio waves. It exploits the fact that some substances that make up the body have intrinsic
magnetic properties and respond to being in a magnetic field, rather as does a compass needle.
When a magnetic field is passed over the head, reverberations are produced by hydrogen
molecules, and these are picked up by the scanner which converts the activity into a structural
image.
Strengths and limitations of MRI Scans
MRIs are non-invasive, unlike the PET scan.

Less expensive than PET and better temporal resolution. This means that the image is taken
several times and then made into a composite image. This composite image is often lacking in
precision and clarity, but is better than the PET scan.
Research is correlational. Causation cannot be established.
fMRI Scans
Unlike the MRI which shows the structure of the brain, the fMRI indicates activity in the brain. In
a sense, it works like a film. The fMRI scanner measures changes in blood flow in the active
brain.
Check out this link to find out more about how it works
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvB9hAarzw4
Strengths and limitations of fMRI Scans

fMRIs are non-invasive, unlike the PET scan
Creates a 3D image of the brain.
Research is correlational. Causation cannot be established.
Critical thinking about brain imaging techniques in general

When discussing brain imaging techniques, there are some overall concerns about their use
that you should consider. You can use these to evaluate whichever technology they apply to.
1. The environment is unnatural and may influence the outcome of the research.
Poldrack (2008) argues that up to 20% of subjects are affected by claustrophobia and refuse to
take part in research in an MRI or fMRI. In addition, obese participants are excluded. This may,
in some cases, lead to sampling bias. In order to make sure that the participant lies still in the
MRI, the tasks which they may be asked to do are very limited and mostly artificial in nature.
2. Colors exaggerate the effects of the brain.
The colors are often misleading, making it look like a specific region of the brain is clearly
defined when in fact the activity of the brain is much more distributed and not as localized as we
would like to believe. In addition, a lot of activity in the brain is spontaneous and not stimulus
driven. We often cannot be sure why there is activity in a part of the brain or what it is doing.
Brain areas activate for many different reasons.
3. Brain images are compilations.
The final image is a statistical compilation of several images taken over the duration of the scan.
It is not an image of the brain at any specific time.
4 Scanning is more ethical and more practical than past data gathering techniques.
In spite of the limitations listed above, brain scanning has been a major help to our
understanding of how the brain works, as well as helping to diagnose people with everything
from Alzheimer's to schizophrenia. Research is much more ethical than the early research as
the techniques are non-invasive. In addition, they are incredibly practical. A team of researchers
around the world can easily discuss an MRI scan by sending it as an email attachment! This
allows for researcher triangulation in the analysis of the data and may lead to a higher validity of
the conclusions reached.
If you want more information to read, you can also check page 44-45 in your course textbook

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PET scans (function)

Strengths and limitations of PET Scans

The PET scan is very expensive

Structural imaging: MRI

Strengths and limitations of MRI Scans

MRIs are non-invasive, unlike the PET scan.

Strengths and limitations of fMRI Scans

Critical thinking about brain imaging techniques in general

2. Colors exaggerate the effects of the brain.

3. Brain images are compilations.

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