Which method uses radioactive glucose to display brain activity?

The use of radioactive glucose to display brain activity is associated with a technique known as a PET scan, or Positron Emission Tomography. In a PET scan, a radioactive form of glucose is injected into the bloodstream, where it travels to areas of the brain that are more active. Cells that are metabolizing glucose rapidly indicate regions of high activity, as these areas require more energy. The PET scan detects this radiation and produces images that show brain activity in real time.

This method is particularly valuable in neuroscience and medical diagnostics because it provides insights into how different parts of the brain function under various conditions, such as during cognitive tasks or in the presence of neurological disorders. By contrast, methods like EEG focus on electrical activity, CAT scans provide structural imaging, and functional MRI utilizes magnetic fields to measure changes in blood flow rather than directly imaging radioactive glucose uptake. Thus, the PET scan is uniquely positioned for visualizing metabolic activity in the brain.