Question at position 44 Judith has been asked to visit a well-known neurologist in her town, who will examine the levels of glucose in Judith's brain. Which of the following techniques will the neurologist most likely use to conduct the examination?positron-emission tomography (PET scan)magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)computerized axial tomography (CAT scan)transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

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This question centers on which brain-imaging technique best measures glucose levels in the brain during neurological assessment.
Option 1: positron-emission tomography (PET scan). This method uses a radioactive glucose analog (FDG) to image metabolic activity, so it directly reflects regional glucose utilization in the brain. It is the gold standard for assessing brain metabolism, which matches the scenario described. 
Option 2: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI excels at detailed structural imaging of brain anatomy and soft tissues, but it does not measure metabolic processes like glucose consumption directly. So it’s not the primary choice when the goal is to quantify brain glucose levels. 
Option 3: computerized axial tomography (CAT scan). CAT (or CT) scanning provides cross-sectional anatomical images based on x-ray attenuation. While quick and useful for detecting gross pathology or calcifications, it also does not measure metabolic activity or glucose metabolism. 
Option 4: transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). TMS is a noninvasive method to stimulate cortical neurons and study brain function or treat certain conditions; it does not image or quantify brain glucose utilization. Thus, it’s not appropriate for measuring brain glucose levels. 
Putting the pieces together, the technique that specifically assesses metabolic activity via glucose uptake is the PET scan, making it the appropriate choice for evaluating glucose levels in Judith’s brain.

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