Radioactive material used. It provides an anatomical view of the brain. No X-rays or radioactive material is used. Provides detailed view of the brain in different dimensions. Safe, painless, non-invasive.
Patients can eat or drink anything before the procedure.
Expensive to use. Cannot be used in patients with metallic devices, like pacemakers. Cannot be used with uncooperative patients because the patient must lie still. However, new MRI systems with a more open design are now available. Functional MRI detects changes in blood flow to particular areas of the brain.