Brain Imaging
Brain Imaging
Brain imaging is generally divided into two categories:
- structural imaging
- functional imaging.
The purpose of structural imaging is to visualize the various structures of the brain and any physical abnormalities that may affect them (such as tumors, bleeding, blood clots, or birth deformities).
The purpose of functional imaging is to better understand the various structures of the human brain, by measuring activity in a brain part while it performs certain tasks.
Both are used to examine the anatomy and functioning of a particular area of the brain in a particular individual.
The following links offer brief descriptions of structural and functional imaging methods most commonly used today.
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Structural Imaging Methods |
Functional Imaging Methods |
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Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) |
When resting neurons become active, the blood flow to them increases. Since active neurons consume no more oxygen than at rest, changes in oxygen levels of their nearby blood vessels, can be detected. fMRI is the tool for that.
The Human Connectome
≈3 billion x billion connections?