A brain MRI scan is a painless and non-invasive image diagnostics procedure conducted to evaluate brain functions and to identify any abnormalities that might indicate a brain disorder.

This brain image test provides 3D images of the brain's structures including the pituitary gland and the brain stem.

For harder to view areas of the brain or to get even clearer images, often a contrast agent is administered either orally or intravenously.

A functional brain MRI scan or fMRI is also one of the most common brain scans, conducted on patients who are slated to undergo brain surgery.

This MRI scan evaluates the brain's metabolic activities, which occur during physical activities, such as tapping the thumbs or flexing of fingers.

A brain MRI scan is also conducted to check for brain damage caused by a traumatic injury or a stroke. Depending on the type of an existing or a possible brain disorder, the doctor can prescribe one of the following brain MRI scans:

• Functional MRI (fMRI)
• T1 - Weighted MRI
• T2 - Weighted MRI
• Diffusion-Weighted MRI (DWI)
• Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery MRI (FLAIR)
• Gradient Record MRI (GRE)