MRI AND PET SCANS
Assignment 2: Discussion—Brain Scans and Application of Research to Brain
> Injury
>
> The past twenty years have seen advancements in technology that were
> critical to further understanding concepts in cognitive psychology. Two
> such developments are positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic
> resonance imaging (MRI) scans. These scans allow researchers to “see” the
> brain in action.
>
> Research how brain scans can diagnose injury and disease using the Internet
> and the Argosy University online library resources. Based on your research,
> answer the following questions:
>
> – How do PET and MRI work?
> – If you were showing a person words while having an MRI, what brain
> areas would probably be active?
> – If a brain injury victim is unable to move the right arm, in which
> area of the brain would an MRI scan most likely reveal damage?
> – What kind of scan do you think would be best in diagnosing Alzheimer’s
> disease?
> – How do the research tools (equipment and methodology) available today
> contribute to a greater understanding of “conscious processes and
> immediate
> experience” than was possible using trained introspection and
> structuralism?
>
> PETs and MRIs also can diagnose head injuries. Consider the following
> scenario:
>
> You are working at a Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital and meet with Allison.
> Allison is in the US Army and has just returned home from a deployment.
> During her deployment, a bomb was thrown into a vehicle in which she was
> riding. She was not severely injured but was told that she sustained a mild
> traumatic brain injury (TBI).
>
> Respond to the following:
>
> – Define TBI for Allison.
> – Describe any symptoms that Allison might experience.
> – How do you think the army should deal with these injuries? For
