Neuroimaging

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The use of imaging techniques to study the structure and function of the brain. Learn about the different types of neuroimaging, their strengths and limitations, and the insights they provide into brain function.

What is neuroimaging?

"Neuroimaging is the use of quantitative (computational) techniques to study the structure and function of the central nervous system..."

How is neuroimaging used?

"...developed as an objective way of scientifically studying the healthy human brain in a non-invasive manner."

In what fields is neuroimaging being increasingly used?

"...it is also being used for quantitative research studies of brain disease and psychiatric illness."

What disciplines are involved in neuroimaging?

"Neuroimaging is highly multidisciplinary involving neuroscience, computer science, psychology, and statistics..."

How does neuroimaging differ from neuroradiology?

"Neuroradiology is a medical specialty and uses non-statistical brain imaging in a clinical setting..."

What is the focus of neuroradiology?

"Neuroradiology primarily focuses on recognizing brain lesions, such as vascular disease, strokes, tumors, and inflammatory disease."

What is the main difference between neuroimaging and neuroradiology?

"In contrast to neuroimaging, neuroradiology is qualitative..."

How are functional brain imaging techniques used in neuroimaging?

"Functional brain imaging techniques, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), are common in neuroimaging..."

Do neuroradiologists commonly use functional brain imaging techniques?

"...but rarely used in neuroradiology."

What are the two broad categories of neuroimaging?

"Neuroimaging falls into two broad categories: structural imaging and functional imaging..."

What does structural imaging aim to quantify?

"Structural imaging, which is used to quantify brain structure..."

What is an example technique used in structural imaging?

"...using e.g., voxel-based morphometry."

What does functional imaging aim to study?

"Functional imaging, which is used to study brain function..."

What techniques are commonly used in functional imaging?

"...often using fMRI and other techniques such as PET and MEG (see below)."

Is neuroimaging considered as a medical specialty?

"Neuroimaging is not a medical specialty."

What kind of brain imaging is performed by radiologists?

"...non-statistical brain imaging in a clinical setting, practiced by radiologists who are medical practitioners."

Does neuroradiology rely on subjective impressions?

"Neuroradiology is qualitative (based on subjective impressions and extensive clinical training)..."

What type of data does neuroimaging focus on?

"Neuroimaging uses quantitative (computational) techniques..."

How is functional brain imaging used in research?

"...used for quantitative research studies of brain disease and psychiatric illness."

What are the main disciplines involved in neuroimaging?

"Neuroimaging is highly multidisciplinary involving neuroscience, computer science, psychology, and statistics..."