Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Fmri) and Phrenology

Due to this, it has been deemed difficult to determine which deficit is the consequence of which part of a lesion. To overcome this problem, other methods are being used to aid in the visualisation of memory processes in the healthy parts of the brain. These come in the form of functional neuroimaging studies using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). These studies have allowed researchers to target specific memory processes using targeted psychological experiments. However, with all psychological experiments, there are limitations to using neuroimaging equipment. PET and fMRI attain their signals from local changes in blood flow or metabolism correlated with neural activity rather than from brain waves (or signals). The local vascular changes affect the distribution of an injected radionuclide (e.g. O15) in PET or magnetic properties that are blood-oxygen level dependent (BOLD) in fMRI. The indirect measure of neural activity limits the temporal and spatial fidelity of activations.

In the article brain on fiction, A very interesting article by Annie Murphy Paul appeared in the New York Times yesterday. It was titled “Your Brain on Fiction” and deals with how the written word affects our brains. In the article, she talks about several studies done with functional MRIs (fMRI). A functional MRI looks at brain activation by revealing changes in blood flow. If a certain area of the brain is stimulated, then that area will receive increased blood flow and this can be measured with a functional MRI. Such testing is currently being looked at to perhaps develop a more reliable lie detector. It appears that different parts of the brain activate when someone is remembering an event as opposed to making it up. Hopefully, this technique

Humans have used deception and trickery as a means of protection, survival, and personal gain from the very beginning. At the primitive level this deception was required, for example, by using camouflage to catch prey. Move forward several thousand years, and human deception can result in massive profit gains, injury or death to others, and identity fraud, among many others. Across different civilizations a variety of techniques were devised to seek the truth from those who wished to deceive others. Currently a new technology aims to more accurately read minds by using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or fMRI, by mapping the brain’s activity. The implications of this technology are immense; however there are many ethical hurdles to be crossed before it can become more mainstream. This paper examines the practicality as well as the ethical hurdles of using fMRI for lie detection.

If applicable in the courtroom, these fMRI methods will completely revolutionize our legal system and law enforcement procedures. Imagine a world where swearing "to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth" is actually enforceable. This is why I would choose to speak to Stephen J. Morse, a professor at the

Plummeting the load of dishonesty has been the crucial goal of the cohort for ages to melt off the hassle of suspicion and increase the competency of human beings. The multitude of all ages has tried their best to wipe out deception and regain trust with the available technologies. Still the fundamental nature of humanity to deceive can’t be altered. Recently, fMRI imaging has come forth as a Protector of the mental capacity to assess deception and discriminate dishonesty from actuality. The future of the courtroom seems endangered with the over persuasiveness of this neuroscience data. How does fMRI work? Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI): is a technique that directly evaluates the blood flow to the brain, thereby providing information

Several new methods can improve temporal and spatial resolution in fMRI. A possible methodological change involves focusing on specific regions of interest and ignoring other areas (37), thus increasing temporal resolution by decreasing the number of voxels measured per slice. This method requires a more hypothesis driven approach to fMRI because of the inability to record from the entire brain. Using a staggered single trial design, where

Neuroimaging devices have the potential to give us an unbiased method of determining if someone is lying. This objective lie detection system could revolutionize the legal system, such that it could provide stronger evidence than of an eyewitness' testimony, help exonerate the innocent, make the jury selection process easier by confirming a potential juror’s lack of bias, or simplify the worker’s compensation process by demonstrating that a worker is actually in pain (Chen, 2009). Unfortunately, we currently have flawed neurotechnology for lie detection. For example, the fMRI is not always accurate for lie detection and may not be practical in a real-world setting. Furthermore, it appears that the legal system may be biased

Cognitive neuroscientists use several brain imaging methods that look at the structure or function of the brain to study cognition. Position emission tomography (PET), functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI), electroencephalograph (EEG), magnetoencephalography (MEG) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) are all commonly used techniques. Neuroscientists want to use these techniques to construct theoretical models that represent and explain brain organisation and function (Eysenck & Keane, 2015) in order to match patterns of brain activation with psychological processes. The spatial (identifying where certain activity happens) and temporal (when the activity happens) resolutions of these neuroimaging techniques have an important

FMRI scanners are more precise than a PET scan as they record activity in all parts of the brain. Unlike the pet, fmri scans do not use radioactive substances and an injection isn't necessary. This scan is used to

If we measure the brain activity, it can be possible for us to determine the way we think, memory, emotions. To measure brain’s activity you have to know the pattern of activity that is connected with each object, memory, or way of thinking. In the study mentioned in the first reading it shows the power of fMRI that measured, the response to each picture, that was presented to participants. I think it is really interesting how each brain activity was measured voxel to voxel. The importance of voxel was to determine which of them activated a specific picture, how strong activation was and what were the brain areas activated. So the main point was to determine what neural pattern was followed for each class of objects presented. The average accuracy

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

The fMRI can help improve lives by boosting moods and preventing disability. It helps boost moods of people by scanning the brains of monks who had spent up to 50,000 hours practicing meditation. Meditation prompts increased activity in a region of the brain associated with joy (Lutz et al. 2007). However you don’t have to spend decades in meditation to see effects. Even the control group, total beginners, saw changes in their brain activation. Instead of only diagnosing the tumors and other problems that lead to disability, the fMRI is now used to help locate and prevent the disability in the first place. For example, psychologist Stephen Rao is hoping that he has found a way to spot Alzheimer’s disease as much as 10 or 15 years before memory problems and other symptoms appear. Rao’s research focuses on long-term memory, and he uses the brain’s ability to recognize famous faces as his method. In one study, Rao and his colleagues discovered that images of famous faces prompt a burst of activity in specific areas of the brain. These areas are the first to be attacked by Alzheimer’s, and a lack of activity in these regions may signal the early onset of disease (Leveroni et al.

In the past few years the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging has exploded and it has really over-flooded the market in terms of its applicability. There are a multitude of companies that are really pushing this technology for many different uses such as replacing the polygraph, using it to make life support withdrawal decisions, and even as a form of risk reduction for dating (Stix, 2008). This all sounds good in theory but the downside is that these companies are pushing fMRI technology for all these different uses without having a significant research performed to back up such hare-brained claims.

Title: Evaluate experimental and brain-imaging techniques and consider what they tell us about the brain and cognitive behaviour in typical and atypical individuals.

This is also one of the reasons, the module “Memory: Functions and Failure” excites me, as I have been able to study the neuroanatomy of memory failure whilst witnessing and applying my knowledge to real cases. My unique pre-empt experience and knowledge of neuroimaging techniques and alternative methods of treatment, such as TMS, would benefit me hugely when studying for the Neuroimaging: Methods and Applications