Brain Scans

• CT/CAT scans

  • Use narrow-beam X-rays to pass through tissue from different angles
  • Beams are attenuated (reduced in strength) according to tissue density
  • X-rays are detected, then used to produce an image of the brain
• CTs have no temporal resolution
• CTs have poor spatial resolution
• 1. rays used in CTs are potentially harmful
• CTs are quicker than MRIs
• People with pacemakers can use CTs rather than MRIs
• CTs are not spatially restrictive
• CTs are more useful than MRIs for studying brain disorders of people who can’t stay still due to a brain abnormality