The Nervous System Introduction to the BRAIN

MindBrain

?Question? How are we able to determine which region(s) of the brain perform a specific task?

Imaging the Living Brain CAT fMRI PET

Computerised Axial Tomography (CAT) X-ray 2D horizontal sections Used to diagnose tumours, blood clots, degenerative disease & location of strokes

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) strong magnetic field radiation from hydrogen molecules present in all brain tissue in different concentrations. Sagittal, horizontal and frontal images Carlson (1994) p 120

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Radioactive glucose is taken up by active cells in the brain. As the radioactive isotopes decay, they emit positrons which are detected by the scanner. I.D. areas for specific mental operations

Interpreting PET Images Highest Activity Lowest Activity

AB CD SET 1

QUESTIONS Write the answers in complete sentence in your lab book. 1.Why are 4 images shown in each set? 1.SET 1 is the control set of images. Why is it important to have a control set?

Create the following table in your notebook and fill out Set # Image w/greates t change Description of Location(s) Subjects TaskRegion of the Brain

AB CD SET 2

AB CD SET 3

AB CD SET 4

AB CD SET 5

AB CD SET 6

PET IMAGE TASK SET 1- Resting SET 2- Listening to Music SET 3 – Looking at picture showing both color & pattern SET4 – Thinking task SET 5- Remembering an image for later recall SET 6- Hopping up and down on the right foot. The task that the subject performed during each of the PET scan are as follows:

HAVE MS. B. CHECK YOUR TABLE

Check Your Work Set #Image w/greatest change Description of Location(s)Subjects TaskRegion of the Brain 2 b There is more red on the right side of the brain, mainly near the center in terms of front-to-back direction. There is also red on the left side, but it is not as strong as it is on the right side. Listening to music Auditory cortex *Temporal Lobe 3 b The main activation is in the back of the brain on both sides of the midline. Looking at a picture Primary visual cortex *Occipital Lobe 4 c The main activation is at the front of the brain near the periphery on both sides of the midline. Thinking task Frontal cortex *Frontal Lobe 5 d The main activation is in four areas, two on each side of the brain. Two are very near the back of the brain, and two are farther forward. Remembe ring Hippocampus *Temporal Lobe 6 a The main areas of activation are a spot on the left side of the brain and a smaller spot near the front of the brain on the midline. Hopping up and down Motor cortex *Frontal Lobe