For instance, the sophisticated forms of brain imaging such as positron emission tomography or PET for short, or using a single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) helps to permit a much closer look at the working brain. An FMRI scan for example can track the change that take place when a region of brain respond’s to a certain task. Unlike the PET or SPECT scan can map the brain by the measuring of neurotransmitters in certain parts. With this technology help led a better understanding of the brain regions and observe the regulation of mood and how other functions, such an s memory and how it can affect by depression. The main areas that take the role in depression are the amygdala,
the thalamus and hippocampus. Many scientists explore the possible links between a slow down production by the sight of new neurons in the hippocampus and low moods. A know factor of depression is stress; it plays a key factor since stress suppress the production of new neurons in the hippocampus which then produces this sluggish nature. The mains structures that help to contribute to depression are: Amygdale, is a part of the limbic system, a group of structures deep in the brain that’s associated with emotions such as anger, sorrow, fear, and sexual arousal. The amygdale is activated when a person recalls emotionally charged memories, such fighting situations. This part of the brain can highly represent a social factor as key risk to depression. The thalamus receives most of the sensory information and relays it to the appropriate part of the cerebral cortex, which helps direct high-level functions such as speech, behavioral reactions, movement, thinking, and learning. Many researchers assume for the reason for bipolar disorder comes from the thalamus. The hippocampus is part of the limbic system and has a central role in processing long-term memory and recollection. The hippocampus in depressed people is actually smaller due to the ongoing exposure of the stress hormone that impairs the growth of nerve cells. The physical attributes that depression does towards the brain itself are detrimental slowly shutting down the brain receptors causing it to go “dark”. Stress is defined as an automatic physical response to a stimulus that requires an individual adjust to change. Stress being a main factor towards depression plays a role in the body by:
Positron Emission Tomography is a scanning technique that allows us to measure in detail the functioning of distinct areas of the human brain while the patient is comfortable, conscious and alert. PET represents a type of functional imaging, unlike X-rays or CT scans, which show only structural details within the brain. The differences between these types of imaging don’t end there.
It is widely accepted that the level of serotonin present in the brain has a significant affect on the behavior of an individual, specifically, an individuals mood. SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) are common medications that treat major depression. Thus affecting the mood of an individual. Some would argue improving the quality of life of people who suffer from clinical depression.
life, such as reasoning, problem solving, speaking, visual processing and the memory processing. Moreover, the brain plays a highly important role for encoding and recall different kids of memories. Since computer have been invented, people use CT and PET to discover that there have many regions in the brain are associated with memory processing. Although these technologies help people to explore better the relationship between brain and memory, however the reality cases studying can make people comprehend the impact of life closely about what if some regions of the brain have been damaged. And the experimental study in brain regions also useful for evaluating
As a Psychiatrist, they are to proficiently understand the function of the human mind to be able to penetrate into their patient’s thoughts and feelings. These medical doctors are required to spend approximately twelve years gaining a better insight into the complex structure of the brain. They are trained to understand how specific sections of the brain work together to achieve varieties of functions and how a mutation can cause a severe malfunction (Zorumski and Rubin). As a result of the years spent training, Psychiatrists are to differentiate and categorize physical and psychosomatic stress caused by chemical changes in the special parts of the brain. Psychiatrists are also trained to use neurotic technologies such as deep brain stimulation. Additionally, the medical doctors are equi...
Neuroimaging is a multidiscipline science and experts from the field of psychology, statistics, physics and physiology all contribute to its further development (Poldrack et al., 2007). In the last 20 years the imaging techniques developed from single proton emission tomography (SPET) to positron emission tomography (PET) and finally to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) (Page, 2006). Their applications are numerous in experimental and cognitive psychology. However, at one level they can constitute another dependent variable (brain activity) as a response to an independent variable (stimulus manipulation) and at the other level, understanding the structure and processes of the brain can shed light on ‘normal’ cognitive functioning (Kaye, 2010). Therefore, this essay will argue that imaging techniques not only tell us about the brain structure but also try to explain its cognitive functions. Two non-invasive imaging techniques will be put forward, namely, electroencephalogram (EEG) that measures electrical activity and gives excellent temporal resolution and fMRI that is based on changes in blood supply and provides excellent spatial resolution. The claim will be evaluated in the light of their basic assumptions, methodology and contribution to examining the brain function. Relevant evidence of studies with healthy adults will be provided. Finally, technologies that can only show the brain structure will be introduced.
In the world of man, one would think everyone sees the world in the same way. That person would be greatly mistaken. The human brain is more complex than most can believe; some would say the brain is still a modern mystery. When it comes to psychology, the idea behind perception and cognition is usually through the psyche of a ‘normal’ individual. However, some argue that studying abnormal brains, or persons with brain disorders could help better understand perception and cognition. It is correct that unusual brains can perceive differently from a standard brain. These studies can only help the scientific field expand its understanding of the brain by encompassing all brains, including those suffering from disorders. In short, brain disorders
Most of the noninvasive imaging methods estimate brain activity by changes in blood flow, oxygen consumption, glucose utilization, etc. Discuss the potential problems with using this type of indirect measure.
The first neuroimaging technique was known as the “Human Circulation Balance”, which was invented by Angelo Masso in the 1880’s. This method of neuroimagery was able to measure the redistribution of blood during emotional and intellectual activity using the non-invasive techniques outlined above. There have been significant changes in technology since this, including the introduction of Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans (MRI) in the 1970’s and Computed Axial Tomography scans (CT) in the 1980’s. From these methods of neuroimagery came Magneto encephalography (MEG), Position Emission Tomography (PET), Electroencephalography (EEG) and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imagery (fMRI).
fMRI (Functional magnetic resonance imaging) is the same technology that is used in MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). fMRI works by distinguishing the changes in blood oxygenation flow that happen in light of neural activity. The special part of fMRI is the brightness of each part of the image of the brain tells how much neural activity is going on in that part of the brain. fMRI takes a series of pictures of our brain.
Paramedics are frequently presented with neurological emergencies in the pre-hospital environment. Neurological emergencies include conditions such as, strokes, head or spinal injuries. To ensure the effective management of neurological emergencies an appropriate and timely neurological assessment is essential. Several factors are associated with the effectiveness and appropriateness of neurological assessments within the pre-hospital setting. Some examples include, variable clinical presentations, difficulty undertaking investigations, and the requirement for rapid management and transportation decisions (Lima & Maranhão-Filho, 2012; Middleton et al., 2012; Minardi & Crocco, 2009; Stocchetti et al., 2004; Yanagawa & Miyawaki, 2012). Through a review of current literature, the applicability and transferability of a neurological assessment within the pre-hospital clinical environment is critiqued. Blumenfeld (2010) describes the neurological assessment as an important analytical tool that evaluates the functionality of an individual’s nervous system. Blumenfeld (2010) dissected and evaluated the neurological assessment into six functional components, mental status, cranial nerves, motor exam, reflexes, co-ordination and gait, and a sensory examination.
Antidepressant drugs are designed to correct the imbalance. Sutton believes that feedback between his brain machine and MRI pictures of the brain at work will provide more insight not only of depression and Alzheimer's, but of stroke, multiple sclerosis, and other disorders that affect large areas of the brain. In one experiment, he and his colleagues looked at pictures of brains while their owners did simple motor tasks, such as tapping their fingers in simple and complex patterns. As expected, they saw activity in small networks of cells located in brain areas that control movements.
Neuropsychology looks into the brain and what brain damage can be caused by studying the relationship between the brain and the functions. Beaumont (1996) said that neuropsychology is the study of the relationship between the brain and mental life. By bringing ideas from neurology and cognitive psychology it allows analysis of an individual’s abilities and cognitive skills. Neuroimaging has techniques which is able to measure the brain through different scans and images. There are many different techniques used in neuropsychology/neuroimaging that help further our understanding of the brain and how it works, however they all have their faults as well as the positives that they carry. This essay will focus on fMRI, TMS and ECG techniques.
At the beginning of this past summer, I took a job working as what is known as a medical scribe. In short, a scribe is a non-medically trained individual who records and compiles information that hospital physicians use to diagnose patients. In this short amount of time, the importance of medical imaging has become even more abundantly clear then it was before I took this job. In particular, the most common methods of medical imaging boil down to X-Ray, Ultrasound, CT scans (computerized tomography), and MRI scans (magnetic resonance imaging). Of these four, MRI is probably the most enigmatic. It provides one of the most detailed images of inside the human body without using any harmful radiation.
Progress has always been an essential component in modern society. At times it is equivalent to success, learning, and overall growth. In the field of science, progress is measured by comparisons to what was known before, what is known now, and what can be known in the future. Therefore, one could say that much progress was made in the field of science in terms of understanding the functions of the human brain and some of its behavior. It seems that as each new day passes, something new is discovered about the brain, whether it be a new mental or physiological brain condition, or merely a link and clue to one of the vast number of questions the world has considering the human brain and behavior. These discoveries and answers are becoming more and more important and imperative due to the fact that the overall population seems to becoming more and more emotionally fragile and more subject to several cerebral ills such as depression, anxiety, hysteria, and clinical insanity.
Functional MRI (fMRI) is used to understand how different parts of the brain respond to external stimuli. Functional MRI has applications in behavioral and cognitive research and in preparation of neurosurgery of certain brain areas.