Which imaging technique visualizes brain activity by detecting where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task?

Which imaging technique visualizes brain activity by detecting where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task?

• A. PET Scan
• B. MRI
• C. EEG
• D. Angiography

Answer: (A)

The imaging method described is positron emission tomography. In PET, a radioactive form of glucose (typically FDG) is injected, and active brain regions that need more energy take up more of the tracer. As the tracer decays, its radiation is detected and used to create images showing where glucose is being metabolized during the task. This directly maps metabolic activity tied to neural function, giving a functional view of brain activity rather than just structure. By contrast, MRI primarily shows anatomy and, in its functional form, blood flow changes (fMRI) rather than direct glucose uptake; EEG records electrical signals on the scalp with high temporal but low spatial resolution; angiography focuses on blood vessels and vascular anatomy. So the described technique is PET.

The imaging method described is positron emission tomography. In PET, a radioactive form of glucose (typically FDG) is injected, and active brain regions that need more energy take up more of the tracer. As the tracer decays, its radiation is detected and used to create images showing where glucose is being metabolized during the task. This directly maps metabolic activity tied to neural function, giving a functional view of brain activity rather than just structure. By contrast, MRI primarily shows anatomy and, in its functional form, blood flow changes (fMRI) rather than direct glucose uptake; EEG records electrical signals on the scalp with high temporal but low spatial resolution; angiography focuses on blood vessels and vascular anatomy. So the described technique is PET.