Which neuroimaging technique uses a radioactive tracer attached to a glucose analog for measuring brain activity?

The neuroimaging technique that uses a radioactive tracer attached to a glucose analog to measure brain activity is positron emission tomography (PET). This method allows for the observation of metabolic processes in the brain by detecting gamma rays emitted from the tracer after it has been injected into the body. The glucose analog is taken up by active brain cells, which are metabolizing glucose for energy. The areas of higher activity will show increased uptake of the tracer, which the PET scan can visualize, thereby allowing researchers and clinicians to see which parts of the brain are more active during specific tasks or at rest.

In contrast, other techniques do not utilize radioactive tracers in the same manner. For example, computed tomography (CT) provides structural images of the brain using X-rays, while electroencephalography (EEG) records electrical activity through electrodes placed on the scalp to assess brain function but does not provide metabolic information. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow associated with neuronal activity, relying on the magnetic properties of oxygenated versus deoxygenated blood rather than a radioactive tracer. Each of these methods has its unique application and limitations, highlighting the distinctive role of PET in evaluating metabolic brain function.