PYC4813
ASSIGNMENT 3
PORTFOLIO
SEMESTER 2 2026
UNIQUE NO: 665432
DUE DATE: 29TH OCTOBER 2026
, COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE - PYC4813
ASSESSMENT 3: PORTFOLIO OCTOBER 2026
Question 1 (10 marks)
MRI compared with PET scans
Cover these key points in your own words:
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): MRI uses a strong magnetic field and
radiofrequency pulses to produce detailed images of brain structures. It is useful
for identifying tumours, lesions, tissue abnormalities and other structural changes
without using ionising radiation.
Positron emission tomography (PET): PET uses a radioactive tracer to measure
aspects of brain function, such as glucose metabolism, blood flow or particular
receptor activity, depending on the tracer used.
Comparison: MRI primarily provides detailed structural information, whereas PET
provides functional or molecular information. The techniques can complement
each other, but they answer different clinical questions.
Reason for choosing MRI: In Thabo's case, the neuropsychologist wanted to
investigate whether structural abnormalities could explain his language difficulties
and to assess possible brain injury or other anatomical causes.
Hypothetical tumour or brain injury: A tumour might appear as an abnormal
mass, potentially accompanied by swelling, displacement of nearby structures or
surrounding tissue changes. Brain damage might appear as a lesion, tissue loss
or an area of abnormal signal, depending on the cause and timing of the injury.
The findings would depend on the location and nature of the problem.
Critical point: A normal structural MRI does not exclude autism spectrum disorder,
language-processing difficulties or every possible neurological or functional difference.
Question 2 (10 marks)
ASSIGNMENT 3
PORTFOLIO
SEMESTER 2 2026
UNIQUE NO: 665432
DUE DATE: 29TH OCTOBER 2026
, COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE - PYC4813
ASSESSMENT 3: PORTFOLIO OCTOBER 2026
Question 1 (10 marks)
MRI compared with PET scans
Cover these key points in your own words:
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): MRI uses a strong magnetic field and
radiofrequency pulses to produce detailed images of brain structures. It is useful
for identifying tumours, lesions, tissue abnormalities and other structural changes
without using ionising radiation.
Positron emission tomography (PET): PET uses a radioactive tracer to measure
aspects of brain function, such as glucose metabolism, blood flow or particular
receptor activity, depending on the tracer used.
Comparison: MRI primarily provides detailed structural information, whereas PET
provides functional or molecular information. The techniques can complement
each other, but they answer different clinical questions.
Reason for choosing MRI: In Thabo's case, the neuropsychologist wanted to
investigate whether structural abnormalities could explain his language difficulties
and to assess possible brain injury or other anatomical causes.
Hypothetical tumour or brain injury: A tumour might appear as an abnormal
mass, potentially accompanied by swelling, displacement of nearby structures or
surrounding tissue changes. Brain damage might appear as a lesion, tissue loss
or an area of abnormal signal, depending on the cause and timing of the injury.
The findings would depend on the location and nature of the problem.
Critical point: A normal structural MRI does not exclude autism spectrum disorder,
language-processing difficulties or every possible neurological or functional difference.
Question 2 (10 marks)
