Question

Two people are waiting for their appointments at a neurology clinic. Dani has a seizure disorder and her neurologist wants to look at her overall pattern of brain activity to determine the location of the seizures. Paul’s physician suspects that he has a tumor and needs to get a clear picture of his brain’s anatomy.

1. What type of test is Dani’s physician most likely to order?
   1. PET Scans
   2. CT Scan
   3. MRI
   4. fMRI
   5. EEG
2. What type of test would Paul’s physician order?
   1. PET Scans
   2. CT Scan
   3. MRI
   4. fMRI
   5. EEG
3. What is the primary difference between Dani and Paul's types of tests?

Answer 1

a. What type of test is Dani's physician most likely to order?

The correct answer is EEG

Justification - The Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test which is used to see the alterations in the activity of the brain. EEG test plays a vital role to diagnose Seizure, Epilepsy, sleeping issues and many more.

b. What type of test would Paul's physician order?

The correct answer is fMRI.

Justification - The Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) is a test which proves to be very useful in getting a crystal clear picture of the brain's anatomy as compare to other techniques. It is helpful in diagnosing deformity in the brain.

c. What is the primary difference between Dani and Paul's types of test?

In the Electroencephalogram (EEG) test electrodes of EEG are used to see the brain's electrical activity. The Neuron network present in the brain does the transmission through the electrical and chemical waves. The wave are used by the amplifier of the EEG in order to measure the activity of the brain.

In the Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), the protons from the Hydrogen in our body is used to develop an image of the brain, as it generates energy. During the fMRI, when we see the patient's brain activity. There is a blood flow happening in the parts of the brain, from one end to another when there happens a brain activity. Hence, the clear picture of the brain is taken.