Neuroimaging

Abstract

A wide range of neuroimaging techniques have been developed which aid in clinical diagnosis of neurological diseases and are valuable tools for research into basic physiological mechanisms and effects of new therapies to combat neurological disease. This is a rapidly evolving field as new imaging techniques with enhanced sensitivity and specificity are constantly being developed and made available to the clinician and research community. This chapter will provide an introduction to the basic mechanisms, capabilities and applications of neuroimaging methods, allowing the neuroscience student to gain an appreciation of the range of available imaging techniques and the potential for use as serial non-invasive monitors of the progression and treatment of neurodegenerative disease in animals and humans. © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.