BRAIN IMAGING

How does a mass of grey matter enable us to think, move and communicate? What is happening in our brains while we read the newspaper, or answer a question? Why do people respond in different ways to the same sights and sounds?

Imaging the brain has advanced rapidly over the last 10 years. Not only can we use structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to see the anatomy of the brain in fine detail, but we can now use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate which regions are involved when the brain is active and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to gain insight into metabolic processes in the brain. Imaging techniques have also provided a clearer picture of psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia.