Brain Imaging: What to Expect

Positron Emission Tomography

At Banner Alzheimer's Institute, our clinicians use advanced PET methods to peer inside the head and study the inner workings of the brain. PET differs from an MRI or a CT as it captures the metabolic processes of the brain rather than just the anatomy or structure.

PET helps diagnose and assess degenerative brain diseases, dementias, movement disorders, cancers and:

• Detects and measures the buildup of amyloid plaques – a change in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease – decades before memory and thinking problems begin

• Reveals changes in the dopaminergic systems to differentiate Parkinson’s disease from other movement disorders

• Pinpoints the source of epileptic seizures and then assists in the surgical planning for those patients with uncontrollable seizures

• Evaluates brain tumors and determines whether they are benign or malignant

Getting ready for a PET scan? Learn more about what to expect.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

MRI uses a powerful magnetic field, radio frequency pulses and a computer to produce detailed pictures of organs, soft tissues, bone and virtually all other internal body structures.

Banner Alzheimer’s Institute features the 3 Tesla (3T) MRI system and offers:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

• Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI)

• Magnetic resonance tomography (MRT)

• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

The relatively new fMRI measures the tiny metabolic changes that take place in an active part of the brain. It’s used to examine the anatomy of the brain and:

• Pursue brain mapping to determine which part of the brain is handling critical functions such as thought, speech, movement and sensation

• Assess the effects of Alzheimer’s, stroke or trauma on brain function

• Guide planning for surgery, radiation therapy or other brain procedures

Our 3T MRI investigates and diagnoses conditions, including those involving the brain, spine and musculoskeletal system. It’s the investigative tool of choice for neurological cancers as it is more sensitive than CT for small tumors and offers better visualization of the posterior fossa, a small space in the skull, found near the brainstem and cerebellum.

The Banner Alzheimer’s 3T MRI also is the optimal choice for many conditions of the central nervous system including:

• Alzheimer’s/dementia

• Cerebrovascular disease

• Demyelinating diseases (multiple sclerosis)

• Epilepsy

• Infectious diseases

Getting ready for an MRI scan? Learn more about what to expect.