Which neuroimaging technique uses X-ray equipment to scan the brain at different angles and produce structure-only scans (CAT)?

Which neuroimaging technique uses X-ray equipment to scan the brain at different angles and produce structure-only scans (CAT)?

• A. Computerised Tomography (CT)
• B. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• C. Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
• D. Electroencephalography (EEG)

Answer: (A)

This item tests understanding of how imaging techniques differ in what they reveal and how they work. CT uses X-ray beams that rotate around the head; the detectors measure how much X-ray signal is absorbed at different angles, and a computer reconstructs cross‑sectional images of the brain’s anatomy. These images show structure clearly but do not show brain activity or metabolism, so they’re described as structure-only scans. In contrast, MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves to image soft tissues, PET uses a radioactive tracer to map metabolic activity, and EEG records electrical activity from the scalp.

This item tests understanding of how imaging techniques differ in what they reveal and how they work. CT uses X-ray beams that rotate around the head; the detectors measure how much X-ray signal is absorbed at different angles, and a computer reconstructs cross‑sectional images of the brain’s anatomy. These images show structure clearly but do not show brain activity or metabolism, so they’re described as structure-only scans. In contrast, MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves to image soft tissues, PET uses a radioactive tracer to map metabolic activity, and EEG records electrical activity from the scalp.