Overview of Neuroimagery Essay

The study demonstrates that functional connectivity profiles from functional magnetic resonance imaging studies can accurately and consistently identify individual subjects between scan sessions and also task and rest conditions. Data from 126 subjects of six fMRI sessions provided by the Human Connectome Project were used for the primary data set. Each subject was scanned over 2 days (3 sessions each day): consisting of a resting-state session, a working-memory task, and a motor task on the first day; costing a resting-state session, a language task, and an emotion task on the second day. Functional connectivity was mapped in a functional brain atlas consisting of 268 nodes covering the brain. Identification was performed across pairs of scans comparing

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

fMRI scans were performed by using a complex machine with massive specifications, named 4-T whole-body Varian/ Siemens imaging system. Before they start their imaging, the patient’s heart rate was monitored with a fiber-optic pulse oximeter and placed on their head was a radio frequency coil to capture a map of their brain. Each patient is then instructed to lie calmly, breathe through their nose, and allow themselves to focus on the script that the instructors were about to read. Each script would usually last them about 30 seconds. After the script is read, they are encouraged to recall a memory for about 60 seconds and once they start, so does their measurements of their heartbeats. The script is then repeated again after 120 seconds. This method is repeated 3 times.

Subcortical structures in the brain are important because of their role in memory, mood, and other vital functions. However, these structures are typically smaller than cortical structures, which can inhibit MRI spatial resolution and image quality. In particular, it remains an open question as to how best to work with fMRI data. Maximizing signal and BOLD (blood oxygen level dependent) sensitivity from these very small regions of interests (ROIs) is a difficult task while maintaining spacial specificity (knowledge of whether a voxel lies within a region).

Moreover, MEG and fMRI are often combined since their methods complement one another; MEG offsets the poor temporal resolution of fMRI while fMRI better directs spatial resolution of MEG (19).

In neuropsychology and behavioral neuroscience, multiple methods have been used to create relations between brain function and behavior in addition to studying how the brain is stimulated to produce action. Static and Dynamic imagery techniques of observation have been used over the years to map out brain regions and understand relationships between internal brain activity and external behavior. However, one brain study method has proven to be a groundbreaking process that has managed to create other derivative methods and increased human understanding of the effects of brain activity alterations. This method is known as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

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

Brain-imaging tools, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), allow researchers to have a close look at brain structures and activities.

In class, we also learnt about how important cerebrospinal fluid is because it helps to keep the brain afloat as the weight of the unsuspended brain would damage neurons (buoyancy), protects the brain from injury to some extent (protection), removes waste products associated with metabolic activity (chemical stability), and controls blood pressure in the brain (prevention of ischemia). The article also discusses MRI (anatomical imaging) which is a topic we have recently discussed in class and we learned about how an MRI uses a large magnet to align all the protons in the sample and produce an

Ever since the early days of science fiction, man has dreamt of using computers to see into another’s mind, to see what they see, and what they think. Until recently, this hope was just that, a dream. But now, using magnetic resonance imaging, statistical analysis programs, and a new encoding model, scientists have turned this dream into a reality. MRIs use strong magnetic fields to trigger and measure a charge in the tissue scanned, which is then translated to an image of the scanned area. Functional MRIs expand on this technique by using the change in charge in specific parts of the brain to measure the oxygenation of blood in these areas over time. Using this technique, known as blood oxygenation level-dependent contrast (BOLD), changes in

The cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), and the metabolism rate of oxygen, together with the strength of magnetic field will affect BOLD signal. Therefore interpretation of BOLD signal would be difficult in alteration of any of these factors . For example in one study using a visual task, the role of CBF was studied precisely. In three condition of breathing including normal breathing, rapid breathing or hyperventilation which leads to reduction of the cerebral blood flow, and breath holding which leads to increasing cerebral blood flow from baseline. Results showed a negative correlation between cerebral blood flow and magnitude of BOLD response

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.

It is crucial for the actual procedures to be explained and how the researchers will use certain techniques for their desired area of focus. The MRI machine allows for researchers to see the anatomy of volunteers brains while an fMRI allows researchers to see blood flow throughout the brain of those participating in the study. The fMRI has the ability

Advantages: PET scans and fMRI tests look similar and both measure confined changes in blood structure. They also reveal activity in several of the same brain areas as well as other areas that differed on one or the other. Electroencephalography measures electrical activity in the brain. EEG can detect rapid changes with precision compared to the pet and fMRI. However, fMRI and PET can localize activation within a few millimeters. Using these all together can help to produce images that show exactly when and where neural activity happens.

Discuss whether the functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) is a new form of “phrenology”. Is it reliable enough to be used as evidence in court?