Dr. Smith believes that a decrease in frontal lobe function underlies the cognitive deficits seen in schizophrenia. He has hypothesized that effective drug therapy serves to selectively increase metabolic activity in this part of the brain. Which of the following is Dr. Smith most likely to use to test his hypothesis?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Positron emission tomography (PET) scans are the most appropriate tool for measuring metabolic activity in the brain. This technique involves injecting a radioactive tracer into the bloodstream, which is taken up by active areas of the brain. The tracer emits positrons, which interact with electrons in the brain tissue, producing gamma rays that can be detected by a PET scanner. This allows researchers to create a three-dimensional image of the brain that shows areas of high metabolic activity. By comparing PET scans taken before and after drug therapy, Dr. Smith could determine if changes in frontal lobe function are associated with improvement in cognitive deficits.

Dr Smith Believes That a Decrease in Frontal Lobe Function