Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
High metabolic activity refers to the increased energy consumption and processing of nutrients in a specific area of the brain, indicating higher levels of neural activity.
Glucose metabolism refers to the process by which glucose (sugar) is broken down in cells to produce energy. It plays a crucial role in providing fuel for high metabolic activity in the brain.
PET is a neuroimaging technique that involves injecting radioactive glucose into the bloodstream. By tracking how much radioactive glucose is taken up by different brain regions, PET scans can highlight areas of high metabolic activity.
Brain Activation: Brain activation refers to the increase in neural firing and communication within specific regions or networks of the brain. Areas with high metabolic activity are often associated with significant brain activation.