Statistical parametric mapping

Statistical parametric mapping is when scientists use math to see patterns in pictures of the brain. They put a bunch of brain scans into a computer and tell it to look for differences between them. The computer looks at the pictures and figures out what parts of the brain are more active or not active in each scan. Then the computer makes a map that shows where these differences are. Scientists use these maps to learn about how the brain works and how it reacts to things like stress or medicine. It's like taking a picture of a busy street and then circling all the cars to see how many are there and where they are going. Only instead of cars, it's parts of the brain and instead of circles, it's colors on a map.