Investigating the brain with scansSpec 2.11B
The brain is inside the skull and is very delicate. It is difficult and risky to get at brain tissue to find out how it works or what is wrong. Scanning allows doctors to investigate the brain without surgery.
| Scan | How it helps |
|---|---|
| CT scan | Uses X-rays taken from many angles to build up images of the brain. It shows the structure, so it can reveal damage or a tumour. |
| PET scan | A radioactive tracer is put into the body. Active areas of the brain use more of it, so the scan shows which areas are active. It shows brain function. |
Both methods let scientists and doctors link areas of the brain to their functions and find the cause of problems, without opening the skull.