Final answer:
To conduct a brain scan on a patient with Parkinson's and motion artifacts from previous scans, using fMRI with targeted tasks to minimize movement and improve image quality is advisable. PET scans are less detailed and involve radiation, whereas fMRI provides a detailed, three-dimensional map of brain activity without radiation. Custom strategies must be implemented to address motion during the scan.
Step-by-step explanation:
When preparing for a brain scan of a patient with Parkinson's disease who has a history of motion artifacts in prior imaging, it is essential to use a strategy that minimizes motion during the scan. The use of positron emission tomography (PET) scans, although less detailed and requiring radiation exposure, can still be useful in such contexts as it monitors blood flow in the brain to create a map of active areas. However, considering technological advancements, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) offers an alternative that captures images using magnetic fields without radiation exposure, and can measure brain activity in response to certain tasks or conditions, thus providing a more detailed and less invasive method to assess the brain's anatomy and function.
In cases where movement is a concern, particularly with Parkinson's patients, strategies might include shorter scan times, the use of motion-reduction techniques during imaging, or possibly pharmaceutical intervention to reduce involuntary movement. It's important to collaborate with imaging technicians and physicians to tailor the scanning experience to the patient's needs, aiming to acquire the highest quality images with the patient's comfort in mind.
To measure activity, the patient may undergo visual or cognitive tasks during the fMRI to help localize brain functions such as sight, speech, and fine motor activity. For instance, one could monitor the brain areas engaged while the patient performs a visual task involving recognizing faces, which corresponds to the experiment detailed in the source material provided.