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,
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
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.
Through my extensive research on depression I have learned a lot of new things. I have learned about the many forms of depression and treatment for depression. I have also learned a little about what is believed to go on chemically in the brain of a clinically depressed person. I was also able to partially determine what sort of role genetics, chemicals and personal influences in the brain. Though I was unable to determine exactly how environmental and personal stress can cause a chemical imbalance in a person, I was even able to speculate about this issue and determine some theories of my own on why and how this may happen.
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.
The biologic basis of Clinical Depression originates in the brain. Your brain is made up of a complex network of nerve cells, called neurons and of brain chemicals, called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters transmit messages from one neuron to another. Two of these neurotransmitters are not produced in sufficient quantities in a depressed person’s brain. Because of this lack, too few messages get transmitted between neurons and the symptoms of depression occur. In Clinical depression the chemicals in the brain are out-of-balance. New technology allows researchers to take pictures of the brain that show activity levels in the brain. These imaging techniques such as f-MRI and PET scan actually create images of how active different parts of the brain are. Some studies with these kinds of techniques have suggested that the patterns of activation in the brains of depressed people are different than those who are not. These tests can help doctors and researchers learn more about depression and other mental illnesses. Since this research is fairly new, it is not yet used to diagnose clinical depression.
Depression is a mental illness, which affects millions of Americans each year. Currently there are many prescription drugs, called anti-depressants that have been proven to successfully treat it. The causes of depression are somewhat of a medical enigma, however, it is known that depression is associated with a change in the brains chemistry involving the function of neurotransmitters (Reichert). This chemical change occurs in healthy brain’s, which experience sadness, but ends after the unpleasant stimulus is removed. In people suffering from depression this chemical change does not correspond to any particular stimulus. Symptoms of depression are often incapacitating and include severe and extended sadness, feelings of worthlessness, feelings of emptiness, irritability and anxiety (Reichert, Spake).
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).
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.