front 1 Electroencephalography (EEG) How It Works | back 1 Electrodes on scalp measure electrical activity in neurons. Sample Finding: Depression and anxiety linked with increased activity in right frontal lobe. |
front 2 Magnetoencephalography (MEG) How It Works | back 2 Head coil records magnetic fields from brain’s electrical currents. Sample Finding: Soldiers with PTSD show stronger magnetic fields in visual cortex when viewing trauma images. |
front 3 Computed Tomography (CT) How It Works | back 3 X-rays of the head show brain damage. Sample Finding: Children’s brain injuries on CT predict lower intelligence and memory performance. |
front 4 Positron Emission Tomography (PET) How It Works | back 4 Tracks where radioactive glucose goes in brain during tasks. Sample Finding: Monkeys with anxious temperament show more glucose use in fear and memory regions. |
front 5 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) How It Works | back 5 Uses magnetic fields and radio waves to map brain structure. Sample Finding: People with history of violence have smaller frontal lobes tied to moral judgment and self-control. |
front 6 Functional MRI (fMRI) How It Works | back 6 Measures blood flow to brain regions by comparing MRI scans. Sample Finding: Plane crash survivors showed more activation in fear, memory, and visual centers when viewing trauma footage. |