Discuss+the+use+of+brain+imaging+technologies+(for+example,+CAT,+PET,+fMRI)+in+investigating+the+relationship+between+biological+factors+and+behaviour.

Pet Scans:

- before the scan takes place, the patient is given a small, harmless dose of radioactive glucose - the scan monitors glucose metabolism in the brain - they produce colored maps of brain activity by detecting the radioactive particles - they are mainly used to evaluate brain abnormalities, and to diagnose medical conditions

Advantages: - unlike an fMRI scan, they can record ongoing activity in the brain, like thinking - it is painless - it can detect early onset Alzheimer's and tumours - the scans allow us to compare differences in normal and abnormal brains

Disadvantages: - the scans are not as clear as the ones produced by fMRI scans - they are extremely expensive, 3000-6000 USD per scan - they take a long time - they aren't good for pregnant people - people can get claustrophobic

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fMRI Scans:

-Type of specialized MRI scan -A huge magnet traces hemoglobin in your blood, when hemoglobin transfers oxygen into our tissues a change in the magnetic field of the hemoglobin. The magnet can trace this change. -It is used to examine the anatomy of the brain -Help asses effects of stroke, trauma or degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer's, on function of the brain. -Used as a guide for planning surgery, radiation therapy or other surgical treatments of the brain.

Advantages:
 * In can non-invasionaly record brain signals without risk of ionizing radiation
 * It has spacial resolution
 * It can record signals from all regions of the brain
 * Produces compelling images of brain activity

Disadvantages:
 * Very expensive - New scanner $1,000,000 - $2,300,000
 * fMRI has poor temporal resolution
 * Image produced is hard to interoperate and must be done by a specialist
 * The MRI scanner is not a natural environment for cognition. There is a question of ecological validity
 * The use of color may exaggerate the different activities of the brain.

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In regards to use for experiments and studies, fMRI and PET scanning provides an in-depth insight into the mind and its inner workings without use of surgery or sacrifice of animal participants. fMRI and PET scans provide a detailed view of the brain, giving researchers a clear view of change in the brain regarding specific studies being carried out, and how the brain functions and processes information. PET scanning can be used to record active change in the brain through use of various images with applied use which can give psychologists a good idea of what is being carried out in the brain. Brief notes-->

Positron Emission Tomography

A nuclear imaging technique that produces a three-dimensional image or picture of functional processes in the body. Detect cancer, brain disorder.

Detects radiation emitted by a radioactive isotope in glucose that is given to the patient.

fMRI What is it? How does it work? What is it used for? Type of MRI that scans for neural activity. Uses magnets to detect neural activity. Radio frequency pulses No radiation exposure, readily available, high spatial resolution, can record signals from all areas of the brain. Expensive.