The Use Of Electrical Probes On The Brain - 1487 Words

The brain is one of the most complex organ in our bodies. To learn about the brain scientists use electrical stimulation. Electrical stimulation is the use of electrical probes to determine functions of the brain. Clinical observation of patients have also helped scientists learn more about the brain. Case studies of different patients such as Phineas Gage have helped to learn about the different functions of the brain and how they work together to perform complex activities. (Barron’s AP Psychology 6th Edition) Different maps are taken of the brain in order to determine if there are any problems with the brain. An electroencephalogram (EEG) is used an amplified read out of the brain waves. A magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI) gives a detailed picture of the brain’s soft tissues. It also shows the structure of the brain. A function magnetic resonance imaging scan or function MRI (fMRI) shows the function of parts of the brain as well as the brain’s structure. It also has the ability to show when a person is lying. Scientists also use a neuroimaging technique called a positron emission tomography scan (PET scan) to view the brain. (Barron’s AP Psychology 6th Edition) The PET scan shows each brain area’s consumption of chemical fuel which is glucose. There is a scale for the PET scan to determine activity in the brain when performing a certain action. The colors range from purple to red, purple represents no activity while red represents very high activity. The P ET scan canShow MoreRelatedUltrasound Imaging : An Ultrasound Machine1291 Words   |  6 Pagesa patient, without the use of x-rays. The ultrasound imaging technique involves using high frequency sound waves and their echoes. The machine transmits high-frequency sound pulses into the patient’s body using a probe. In the image, the technician presses and moves the probe along the patient’s body. This photo was taken in the St. Louis Children’s Hospital. A wave is a traveling disturbance that carries energy from one place to another. Ultrasound-imaging machines use waves to produce real timeRead MoreUltrasound Technology Essay1526 Words   |  7 Pagesmedical imaging technique that uses high frequency sound waves. It is a high pitch frequency that cannot be heard by the human ear. In ultra sound the following happens: High frequency sound pulses (1-5megahertz) are transmitted from the ultrasound machine into your body using a probe. The sound wave will travel into your body until it hits an object such as soft tissue and bone. When the sound wave hits these objects some of the wave will be reflected back to the probe. While some waves may carryRead MoreElectronic Devices And The Human Central Nervous System1417 Words   |  6 Pagescarried by moving electrons through a conductive wire, whereas in the brain, impulses are carried by ions, or charged molecules. Electrical signals in the brain mainly take place in neurons, which are nerve cells that specialize in transferring nerve impulses. Changes in the concentration of ions in a neuron cause changes in the entire electric state of the cell, stimulating electrical signals from one neuron to another. The brain has yet to be completely mapped out, though it serves some of the mostRead MoreA Brief Note On Electro Encephalography ( Eeg )1621 Words   |  7 Pagesmonitoring method, recording the electrical activity of the brain. It involves placing electrodes along the scalp, which measure voltage fluctuations resulting from the ionic flux across the brain neurons. These are recorded graphically and typically referred to as ‘brain waves’. Prior to the advent of Computed Tomography (CTScan) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), EEG monitoring was the primary diagnostic tool for stroke, epilepsy and other focal brain disorders. EEGRead MorePrinciples of Physics in Ultrasound Essay1717 Words   |  7 Pagesdiagnosis. This enables doctor’s to treat patients before their condition deteriorates. This procedure would not be possible without the use of X-rays, CAT scans, MRI scans, ultrasound and endoscopes, which allow doctors to see inside the body with little or no surgery. Without such equipment doctors would be forced to use invasive techniques, which could cause patients more harm as it increases the risk of infection. A sound or ultrasound wave consists ofRead MoreThe Visual Representation of a Body Part in Imaging Technology1068 Words   |  4 PagesMagnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and ultrasound are used everyday for medical analysis. X-Rays are very useful because they can penetrate through different materials to give an image of the interior of the body. MRI use strong magnets to create an image of a body part, while ultrasound imaging uses sound waves. Bone, muscle and fat absorb x-rays at different levels, so the screen lets see different structures of the body because the different levels of exposure are in different shades of gray. The mainRead MoreThe Meaning of The Mind and Soul Essay852 Words   |  4 Pagesproperties of the brain. The physicalist would argue that all these mental attributes are merely products of the highly evolved neural pathways of the brain and therein lies the root of human consciousness. To look more closely at this we will do a thought experiment of a patient who is undergoing brain surgery. The patient is asked to raise his right arm, and then lower it. The part of the brain used for this movement is then located. Then the doctor uses a probe to induce a small electrical current atRead MoreLundgaard Et Al. (2015) Also Recognized The Conflicting1559 Words   |  7 Pagesaddress this problem, they created a near-infrared 2-deoxyglucose probe (2DG-IR) and used two-photon microscopy to assess whether i t is neurons or astrocytes which are taking up more glucose during neuronal activation. If the ANLS hypothesis is correct, astrocytes should be observed taking up more glucose. Whereas, if the parsimonious hypothesis is correct, glucose uptake should be greater in neurons. First, they assessed their 2DG-IR probe by comparing it to 14C-glucose and 14C-2-deoxyglucose (14C-2DG)Read MoreHow Headphones And The Acoustic Transducer Became The Most Important Building Block Of All Electronic Devices Essay1261 Words   |  6 PagesSummary In the 21st century, sound transducers became the most important building block in all electronic devices. This element is employed into many products such as microphones, cellphones, radios, probes, etc. Headphones, for instance, are based on the loudspeaker system which works thanks to the acoustic transducer. They may look mundane in our daily life, but each element inside the headphones denotes significant innovations in human history. How do headphones work and what are the secrets thatRead More Imaging Techniques and Cognitive Function Essay2339 Words   |  10 Pagesvariable (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 imagi ng techniques will be put forward, namely, electroencephalogram (EEG) that measures electrical activity