Question

There are many methods of measuring and understanding brain activity and how it affects other parts of the body as well as thoughts and feelings. Describe each of the following methods of measuring during activity. Be sure to explain what is being measured and what immediate advantage or disadvantage are.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)
CT scan
PET scan
MRI
fMRI​

Answer 1

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Step-by-step explanation:

There are five methods of measuring brain activity that will be discussed. To begin, we have an Electroencephalogram, also known as an EEG. The EEG is useful when looking for abnormalities in the brain waves. Electrodes consisting of small metal discs with thin wires are pasted onto your scalp. The EEG has advantages, it helps screen for seizures or epilepsy, and has the ability to see brain activity as it's happening. The one really big disadvantage is that it's difficult to find where in the brain the activity is coming from. The next method is a CT scan, which stands for computed tomography is a whole-body scan that is typically used for finding problems with bones or tumors. The machine takes X-ray photos of you from all different angles. The advantages include very detailed images, and they can image bone, soft tissue, and blood vessels all at the same time. The disadvantages outweigh the advantages in my opinion. Unless the scan is crucial, I don't think subjecting the body to radiation when it's not necessary is the best way to go. In addition, we have a PET scan, which is a positron emission tomography. This scan is used when doctors want to make sure all your tissue and organs are functioning correctly, and sometimes used to detect disease. Advantages include, quick, painless, and nondisruptive. The disadvantage however is the same as a CT, which is the intense, high exposure of radiation. Radiation should be avoided at all costs. Following, an MRI, standing for magnetic resonance imaging. An imaging technique used in radiology to form pictures using a strong magnetic field, and radio waves to receive images of organs in the body. Advantages, MRI provides better soft-tissue contrast in comparison to a CT and no radiation involved. However, an MRI is very expensive, and not as good for looking at tumors. Lastly, fMRI, a functional MRI measures brain activity by detecting changes associated with blood flow. The big advantage is that the fMRI doesn't use radiation, along with it evaluating brain function safely, noninvasively, and effectively. A few disadvantages include, the person must remain still in order to capture a clear image, this technique is expensive compared to other options, and a 5-second lag between initial neural activity and image.

Answer 2

EEG- A test used to evaluate the electrical activity in the brain. Brain cells communicate with each other through electrical impulses.
CT scan- They can show the soft tissues, blood vessels, and bones in various parts of the body.
PET scan- An imaging test that helps reveal how your tissues and organs are functioning.
MRI- MRI scanners use strong magnetic fields, magnetic field gradients, and radio waves to generate images of the organs in the body.
fMRI- By detecting the changes in blood oxygenation and flow that occur in response to neural activity – when a brain area is more active it consumes more oxygen and to meet this increased demand blood flow increases to the active area.