Biological research methods

• FMRI scans use a powerful magnetic field radio frequency that produces detailed pictures of brain structure
• FMRI produces images of brain activity and functioning by showing the metabolic change that take place in an active part of the brain
• Firm detects the changes in blood oxygenation. When our brain is more accurate it consumes more oxygen and an increase of demand of blood flow
• BOLD (blood oxygen level dependent). High bold contrast can prove it has a role in producing the behaviour
• Advantages of FMRI scans

  • Non invasive
  • Doesn't expose radiation like pet and cat scans
  • Its very precise
• Weaknesses of FMRI scans

  • Can't look at the actual receptors of neurotransmitters unlike PET
  • Analysing and interpreting is skilful
  • High quality images are only acquired if patient remains perfectly still
• CAT scans use X-rays to create a 3d structural image of the brain. It records the amount of radiation being absorbed in a doughnut shaped machine
• CAT scanning can check for

  • brain tumours
  • Bleeding, brain injury and skull fractures
  • Diseases and malformations
• Strengths of CAT scanning

  • Less harmful than PET
  • Its non invasive and not painful
  • Extremely detailed images - precise link to a cognitive disfunction and which area of the brain caused it
  • Less sensitive to movement
• Weaknesses of CAT

  • Slight chance of cancer
  • Doesn't pick up on membranes covering the brain
• PET scans use a radiotracer (radioactive glucose) to see which part of the brain accumulates more glucose
• PET scans are used for

  • Evaluating brain abnormalities
  • Map normal human brain functions