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
A PET (positron emission tomography) scan is a neuroimaging technique that uses a radioactive tracer to measure brain activity by detecting the distribution of positrons emitted from the decay of the tracer.
Related terms
Radioactive tracer: A substance that emits positrons, which can be detected and used to map brain activity.
Neuroimaging: Techniques used to visualize and study the structure or function of the nervous system.
Positron: An elementary particle with positive charge emitted during radioactive decay.