Brain Imaging

Q1: The cerebral cortex is a highly organized, six layered structure (L1-6) with a variety of excitatory and inhibitory cell types. Excitatory (glutamatergic) neurons make up 80% of the cortex and consist of pyramidal and spiny stellate (granule) neurons. Inhibitory (GABAergic) neurons make up only 20% of the cortex and consist of four different subtypes: non-fast spiking serotonin expressing GABAergic neurons, martinotti cells, basket cells, and chandelier cells (Petersen & Crochet, 2013; Shipp, 2007). The total number of neuronal cells in the adult human cortex is 21.4 billion for females and 26.3 billion for males; however, there are also non-neuronal cells present in the cortex (Pelvig, Pakkenberg, Stark, & Pakkenberg, 2008). The major non-neuronal cells are glial cells and consist of: oligodendrocytes (75% of non-neuronal cells), astrocytes (20%) and microglia (5%) (Pelvig et al., 2008). The layering of the cortex is highly organized, with specific cell bodies located in each layer. Layer 1 receives input from other cortical layers as well as subcortical layers and is comprised solely of inhibitory neurons, although there are axons and dendrites that project onto these neurons in addition to non-neuronal cells (Petersen & Crochet, 2013). Layers 2/3 are difficult to differentiate from one another, and often referred to as the supragranular layers. These layers contain medium sized pyramidal cells that have densely packed and highly aligned apical dendrites and make

The topic of brains scans, drug use and teenagers has been of much interest to many experimenters. Drug use can be defined as continues use of alcohol, illegal drugs or the misuse of over-the-counter drugs or prescription drugs leading to negative consequences. This is done by the use of brain scans, including MRI scans; also know as magnetic resonance imaging. This type of brain scan allows scientist to see detailed images of the organs and tissues within your body by a technique that uses a magnetic field and radio waves. The magnetic field temporarily realigns hydrogen atoms in the body and is able to show brain activity. The main point of this type of study is to help predict what a teenagers drug use problem will be, if any, before it

The fMRI scan has played a major role in this type of research and it is on such that this essay will be based.

Neuroscientists believe that free will is an illusion; that our actions are determined by brain movement beyond our control. Neuroscientist such as Libet and Hayne believe that the activity in the brain comes before we consciously act. They did several experiments, which included people pressing buttons with either their left or right hand. The aim of the experiment was to find out what happens in the brain just before the person felt the decision was made. The experiment consisted of wires connected to a person’s brain, to find out how long a person took to press a button. There was a clock and a button, and the people were told to press the button when they felt like it. The experimenters detected some activity in the motor part of the brain;

I also found it interested that the different views were very different. They all connected in a way, but they all took a different approach at neuroimaging. There will always be different views on things such as this because everyone has their own opinion. In this course, I will use this article in several ways. The article states that “neuroscience will be the primary vehicle for discovering how to prevent and cure mental illness.” Learning about the different beliefs and the reason behind neuroimaging is important to learn and grow. fMRI was a huge step for mental health research. It helped to bring new ideas in and it was overall very helpful in gathering a good image of the brain. Because of the detailed images, it helped scientist to notice what areas of the brain were having problems. Understand each view on neuroimaging mentioned in this article will help us to draw our own conclusions about the positive information retained from such science and also what parts of neuroimaging still need

To deal with the problem of dysfunctional families, Vance proposes a solution of stable family. The author’s grandmother took the decision that he will live with her to have a stable family environment which he was not getting from his parents. This stable family bonding helped him a lot in succeeding in his life. It helped him in his studies as well as in his social life. He was very satisfied from the home environment and thus able to concentrate all his attention towards his studies and positive behavior. Later when he was married, he formed a stable bond with his wife and stated that he is leading a better and happier life.

Brain imaging techniques allow researchers to view activity or problems within the human brain, without invasive neurosurgery. There are a number of safe imaging techniques in use today such as: CT scan, MRI, FMRI, EEG, MEG, and PET.

Having already been underclassmen boys, we degree-lacking, self-accredited veterinarians chose to dissect a misunderstood, typical teenage boy of the year 2016. To begin our dissection, we had to locate the cranium which was located between the buttocks. Upon removal, the crown of the cranium was located so far up the anus, we scratched the rectum. As the face appeared out of the anus, we realized that we would have to clear the face of the feces covering it. Once the feces were removed, we could make observations of the hair. We noticed excessive amounts of grease in the hair reflecting the slyness of the individual and indicating the lack of proper shower.

The most interesting thing I learned from this documentary is that our brains have a map of our body surface. According to Dr. Ramachandran, the body map has a corresponding point to every point on the body surface. The right side of our body is mapped on the left side of our brain and the left side of our body is mapped on the right side of the brain.

Magnetic resonance imaging has the potential of totally replacing computed tomography. If history was rewritten, and CT invented after MRI, nobody would bother to pursue CT. --Philip Drew (Mattson and Simon, 1996)

In the dichotic digits task, Group 1 and Group 2 performed significantly better than Group 3 and Group 3 performed significantly better than Group 4. Groups 1, 2, and 3 did better than 4 for the right ear and Groups 1 and 2 did better than 3 with a significant decrease between Groups 3 and 4. It appears that the decrease in binaural digit processing occurs earlier for men than women.

With the advancement in technology, neuroimaging has led to the discovery of male brains containing a greater amount of white matter, while female brains contain more gray matter (Gur et al., 1999). Sun et al. (2015) collected imaging data to track the progress of brain network topology over a five-year period and compared the results between gender differences. Participants in the study included 43 males ranging from ages 22-53, and 28 females from ages 21-59. Only those having no brain disorders, mental illnesses, substance abuse, or first-degree family members with mental illnesses were included in the research. Twenty-eight subjects completed the study and received scans over 5 years. The results supported findings from previous

To answer the question of myself be willing to volunteer for testing through a brain examination method, it mostly depends on what type of methods would be performed. For example, if the brain examination method is approved by a certified medical practice(s) and/or by the Food Drug Administration (FDA), I am more likely to participate. However, if a certified medical practice and/or FDA do not approve the brain examination method, I am not willing to participate. Moreover, if the implementers of brain examination method offer a satisfying amount of money for me to volunteer, I still would be somewhat skeptical and concerning questions- Due to preferring life over financial gifts.

To quantify the electric field spread and penetration, Table I shows the percentage of volume of each brain tissue where the amplitude of E is greater than 50% of the peak of E in the cortex for each coil configuration. Due to the fact that different field distributions occur in the right and the left hemisphere of the brain tissues, percentage of volume of each brain tissue was calculated for both sides of the brain for HFA and HDA coils (double-cone and Halo coils are symmetric coils). HFA_R and HDA_R refer to the percentage of volume of each brain tissue in the right side using the HFA and HDA coils, respectively. HFA_L and HDA_L refer to the percentage of volume of each brain tissue in the left side using the HFA and HDA coils, respectively.

Brain mapping is the study of the brain using various techniques, such as cellular biology and imaging. It is a very difficult process and can take a long time to accomplish. Brain mapping maps areas of the brain to functions, such as vision and creativity. It also looks to see how the environment can change a brain’s structure, like how learning and aging can physically change the brain. We are using brain mapping to see if we can cure bipolar and other brain problems. Brain mapping is difficult because the brain has a ton of pathways. If we find out how to map the brain correctly, we will know much more about what affects the brain and what parts of the brain control different functions.