PET scans produce a three-dimensional image.
A fluorine-based radio isotope is injected and then absorbed in brain tissue in greater concentrations by areas that are metabolically active. This information is converted to a three-dimensional color picture of brain activity. When patients are asked to perform specific tasks, the brightest colors indicate the most active brain areas. The physician can learn about how the brain is affected by certain drugs and what happens during certain brain disorders, including headache. All rights reserved.