Neuroimaging techniques I

In this BIOLOGY video we will explain the "Neuroimaging techniques". Latest neuroimaging techniques. CT (computerized axial tomography). This is a technique that uses an X-ray source to be able to analyze the tissues since what these X-rays are going to do is go through them tissues and depending on their density (for example, bone is very dense, blood is also quite dense... cerebrospinal fluid is less dense and the white matter is very little dense) because all these changes in density will generate different absorption loops of these X-rays. Depending on how much it absorbs or lets through these rays, the images it generates have a darker or lighter color. The TAC is very very accurate. It can find anomalies of one to two millimeters. It should not be confused with the classic X-ray even if they share the same X-ray source. To give even greater precision, the use of a radiopharmaceutical is optional, which would increase the contrast much more in order to clearly see one tissue or another.

One of the few cons of this technique is that it only allows you to take cross-sectional images. It does not allow sagittal or coronal cuts. In favor; It is great clinical utility since it allows to differentiate a wide variety of disorders (from brain abnormalities, tilt problems, hemorrhages, small aneurysms, principles of neurodegeneration... It does it in an easy, profitable way (since they are available and easily accessible devices), as well as being cheap (more than other techniques that we are going to see). If we add all this to its precision, it is an option that is used regularly and it is understood why.

Another neuroimaging technique is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) it will generate images that, we could get confused with the images of a CT scan because both techniques generate images in black / white and grayscale. But it is another world. MRI uses another type of energy (it uses a source of waves at radio frequency - radio frequencies) and what this source is going to do is stimulate the nucleus of hydrogen atoms and those atoms that align with the magnetic field that is being generated (thanks to this source of radio waves that is emitted) are going to capture the energy and they are going to emit, in turn, a magnetic field which is what is going to be detectable by the sensor. If you want to know more about the topic "Neuroimaging techniques I", don't miss this video and practice with the exercises that we have on our website.