Which imaging technique is used to study brain activity in cognitive neuroscience?

Which imaging technique is used to study brain activity in cognitive neuroscience?

• A. PET scans
• B. Ultrasound
• C. X-ray
• D. EEG

Answer: (A)

Understanding functional brain activity during cognitive tasks relies on imaging that links brain metabolism to task engagement. PET scans do this by using a radioactive tracer that tracks glucose use. Active regions consume more glucose, so they light up on the scan, letting researchers see which areas are involved in a given cognitive process. Ultrasound and X-ray aren’t used for functional brain imaging in cognitive neuroscience. EEG measures electrical activity with excellent timing but has poorer spatial localization, so it doesn’t map activity across the whole brain as clearly. That combination makes PET scans the best choice for studying brain activity in this context.

Understanding functional brain activity during cognitive tasks relies on imaging that links brain metabolism to task engagement. PET scans do this by using a radioactive tracer that tracks glucose use. Active regions consume more glucose, so they light up on the scan, letting researchers see which areas are involved in a given cognitive process. Ultrasound and X-ray aren’t used for functional brain imaging in cognitive neuroscience. EEG measures electrical activity with excellent timing but has poorer spatial localization, so it doesn’t map activity across the whole brain as clearly. That combination makes PET scans the best choice for studying brain activity in this context.