As recently as a century ago, some scientists believed an individual’s psychological and neurological profile and activity could be derived from the shape of the skull. Rather than consider that serious headaches or unusual behavior could be caused by chemical imbalances or injury to the brain, these “phrenologists” believed most aberrational behavior could be predicted by skull shape and even texture. Today, “phrenology” is considered a pseudoscience; yet some of the assumptions – that certain areas of the brain are responsible for specific activities – continue to influence modern neurology.
While some advocates of phrenology may have been on the right track, rather than relying on the lumps and bumps on a man or woman’s skull, today’s physicians and clinicians can use a variety of scanning techniques to visualize both the physical brain and brain activity that can occur as the result of chemical and electrical impulses.
A variety of scanning techniques are available today for both structural and functional studies of the brain, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, computed tomography (CT) scans, electroencephalography and positron emission tomography (PET). Different scans produce different types of images, and are useful for diagnosing a wide range of brain disorders, including tumors and dementia. Depending upon the scan your clinician orders, you may have electrodes placed on your scalp and forehead to “read” your brain’s impulses. Other scans rely on waves passed through the skull and brain, without the use of electrodes. Your clinician will be able to determine which type of scan is right for your symptoms. Used properly, today’s brain scans can offer critical guidance in both diagnosing and treating a wide range of brain disorders and diseases.
