Download Brain Imaging

Brain Imaging
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(the ways we look inside your head)
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Electric probes are placed over the skull
They record brain waves as they pass over the
cerebral cortex
Inexpensive
Good to detect seizures
Least detailed of the imaging techniques
EEG
(electroencephologram)
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A series of X-rays can be spliced together by
computer to give a three dimensional look at
the brain.
Best for looking at bones and hard structures.
CT Scan (computed
tomography)
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Inject radioactive dye into bloodstream
Where there is more thought, there is increased
blood flow
Shows where thought is occuring
PET Scan
(Positron Emission
Tomography
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The patient is put in a magnetic chamber and a
magnetic pulse is applied.
When then pulse is stopped, computers can
take a three dimensional image of the soft
tissues of the brain.
More expensive.
More detailed
MRI
(Magnetic Resonance
Imaging)
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Like an MRI, but this one shows the brain in
action- can make a movie of where activity is
happening.
Most expensive
Most information
fMRI (functional magnetic
resonance imaging)
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Newest brain imaging technology
Digitally traces blood flow
Gets VERY specific about which cells networks
are receiving increased blood flow
DTI (Digital Tensor
Imaging)
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The ability of the brain to shift the functions of
one part of the brain to another if there is injury
or sickness that makes part of the brain
inoperable.
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Watch this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSu9HGnl
MV0&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode
=1&safe=active
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Plasticity
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Any drug that is similar enough to the
neurotransmitter it is meant to replace that it
can cause a neuron to fire.
Ex. Morphine is similar enough to our natural
endorphins that it can create a feeling of well
being and kill pain.
Agonist
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Any drug that is similar enough to the
naturally produced neurotransmitter that it can
bind on to receptor sites, but is not similar
enough to make the cell fire.
Ex. Botulin (a poison that is used in Botox) can
bind on to receptors for Ach (a
neurotransmitter that makes muscle movement
possible) and temporarily paralyzed the
muscles that pull our faces into wrinkles.
Those muscles can’t move, so wrinkles seem to
disappear.
Antagonist