First of all, wishing everyone a happy and healthy Year of the Snake!
In today’s article, I want to share some useful tests corresponding to methods for examining our brain structure and function—comparing different methods to find the most affordable and valuable one, achieving maximum effect with minimal expenditure.
Some information is selected from AP Psychology
TOP 1 Electroencephalography (EEG) The familiar EEG
Please note that an electroencephalogram (EEG) only detects brain function.
EEG works by measuring brain waves and is commonly used to diagnose conditions such as epilepsy, sleep disorders, and brain injury.
Price: Relatively affordable, suitable for most families, typically costing $100-$500 (this is only the US price; in China, an EEG also costs around 100-500 RMB). This shows that the cost of living in China and the US is actually quite similar.
Availability: EEG examinations are widely available in hospitals, clinics, and neurology centers. These examinations are generally safe and do not cause harm to the body.
TOP 2 Magnetoencephalography (MEG)
Placing your head inside a large machine activates a strong magnetic field, generating electrical currents. The computer then maps your brain’s response to this. This means that a magnetoencephalogram (MEG) also tests your brain function.
Price: Similar to an electroencephalogram (EEG), according to the latest news from the Wall Street Journal (wsj.com), a single MEG scan typically costs $26-38, approximately RMB 188.5-275.5. Like EEG, it’s a popular choice for many brain patients due to its high safety and low side effects.
Differences between EEG and MEG: The skull and scalp are less distorted by magnetic fields than by electric fields, resulting in higher spatial resolution for MEG. Scalp EEG is sensitive to both the tangential and radial components of a current source in a spherical conductor, while MEG only detects the tangential component. (Wikipedia)
TOP 3 Computed Tomography (CT/CAT) Chinese name: CT (not really)
Imagine you’re having a CT scan, with high-intensity X-rays focused on your brain. You might feel a little scared, right? A CT scan is a method that uses X-rays to examine brain structure, without needing to understand the activity of different areas of the brain. The most common reason patients need a CT scan is for a brain tumor.
Safety first! Remember to minimize CT scans!
The price is slightly higher than the previous two methods, and varies greatly depending on the region, generally ranging from 200-1500 RMB.
Here’s another research method, similar to CT, so we’ll discuss it in detail as a separate category: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Yes, the famous MRI imaging, which sounds more advanced, is actually just adding some details to a CT scan report: such as density, the location of brain tissue, etc. So it’s also a means of measuring brain structure, and more importantly, patients are not exposed to carcinogenic radiation. It costs around 1000 RMB.
TOP 4 Positron Emission Tomography (PET) sub-brand “Positron Emission Computation”
It seems more advanced, yes, the measurement level is indeed very high. The measurement principle is usually to inject a liquid called glucose, which is proportional to the brain’s response. When the drug flows through various areas of the brain, the scanning light can see the response of each area of the brain, thereby determining whether the function is normal, and then measuring the brain function.
Price: 7000-10000RMB, which is really expensive (not necessarily for rich people. This means that some small hospitals such as county hospitals usually do not have it. If there is no special problem, why not use MEG/EEG? (Although the results of MRI are more accurate)
TOP 5 functional MRI (fMRI) functional images
The combination of MRI and PET scans not only reveals structure but also function, making it the most advanced technology for studying the human brain.
Price: $538-$794 (USD), equivalent to 3900-5757 RMB. This is the price a normal person would expect. Undeniably, it’s the most authoritative and comprehensive medical kit for brain examinations.
Having shared so many methods for examining the brain, have you considered having a comprehensive and clear understanding of brain examinations? If you choose the right examination method, hopefully you won’t be confused—remember the prices!