Spect scanning

[sandi]

Can SPECT provide a structural and functional view of the brain or is it just a functional view??

[Genericname2365]

From my understanding it shows very detailed information about function, but is not structurally clear, so that it can be said to show structure, but not with the same clarity with which it provides information about function. However I'm not 100% sure about this; hopefully someone else will correct me if I am wrong.

[HiddenUser]

It does both but is not recommended for Structural purposes, cause it has a poor resolution.

[brenden]

^^^They're correct. A SPECT scan shows an anatomical and a functional view (although PET shows a better functional resolution and CT/MRI show a better structural resolution). We'd use it over PET (at times) because the radioactive tracer lasts longer than in a PET scan.

[Limista]

SPECT scan shows brain structure and function

[pubsquash]

Does PET also show both function and structure?

[emilyhobbes]

Yeah, PET does both, but still mainly functional information. It's also clearer than SPECT

[tictac]

Does PET also show both function and structure?

yes.

[tictac]

Is CT non-invasive?

[ecvkcuf]

Yup it's not invasive.

[vagrantshades]

Actually the CT scan is considered to be slightly invasive due to the injection of contrast. But compared to the other brain imaging techniques its considered non-invasive.

[tictac]

In the VCAA 2009 exam, Question 5 b of section B
Compared to an MRI scan, what is a significant limitation of the CT scan?

The CT image is not as detailed or as clear as an MRI image.
• The CT scan is black and white whereas an MRI scan is in colour – there is better contrast in an MRI.
• The CT scan uses powerful X-rays and cannot be repeated within several months as there is a high risk of
cancer.
• The CT scan requires an injection of iodine to provide contrast – this is an invasive technique.   <----- confused ):

[vagrantshades]

Well you're INJECTING something into an individual. Of course you're not opening their skull up and proding their brain, such as in direct brain stimulation which is considered highly invasive, but you're still putting a substance into an individual which is considered invasive.

The MRI scan, however, doesn't involve any substance being injected into the individual as it just uses a magnetic field to align atoms in the neurons in the brain to obtain its scan. Thus it is considered completely non-invasive!

Does that make sense?

[tictac]

Still not completely clear.  So if asked in the exam, would it be acceptable to say that it is mildly invasive?

[lauren.kate]

An MRI can be considered invasive if the patient is claustrophobic, is that correct? Vague recollections of class are coming back