FUNCTIONAL IMAGING OF THE CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM USING MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING AND POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY

There have been striking advances recently in magnetic resonance imagi ng and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of the central nervo us system, particularly in the area of ''functional'' imaging. We disc uss these advances with emphasis on the similarities and differences b etween the PET and magnetic resonance imaging methods. In addition, we examine recent progress and controversies in the use of volume-locali zed nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Finally, we review the us e of three-dimensional acquisition for PET studies, with an evaluation of the relative advantages and disadvantages of this modification of the PET technique.