Positron emission tomography is used for________

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a functional imaging technique that is particularly valuable for visualizing the metabolic processes in the brain. This technique works by detecting pairs of gamma rays emitted indirectly by a positron-emitting radioisotope, which is often injected into the bloodstream. As the radioisotope decays, it generates positrons that interact with electrons, resulting in the emission of gamma rays that can be measured to create detailed images.

In the context of brain imaging, PET can highlight areas of high glucose metabolism, indicating where there is increased neuronal activity. This characteristic makes it an important tool in both clinical and research settings to assess brain functions, study neurological disorders, and even monitor responses to treatment in conditions like cancer or Alzheimer’s disease.

The other options, such as measuring blood pressure, assessing heart activity, and evaluating lung function, pertain to different medical imaging techniques or physiological measurements and are not the primary applications for PET. These functions are more closely associated with technologies like MRI, CT scans, or echocardiograms, which are specialized for those respective areas of health evaluation.