1. Methods to Study the Brain

2. The Brain How do we learn about the brain & its functions?

3. Tools of discovery 1. Clinical observation (case study) - Phineas Gage – The Story of Phineas Gage (A Reenactment) – Module 25 of The Brain DVD (12:00)

4. The Brain Tools of discovery 2. Manipulating the brain a. Lesions – purposely destroying a part of the brain and observing the results. b. Brain Stimulation (Show at :40-:50 sec)Brain Stimulation

5. The Brain Tools of discovery 3. Electroencephalogram (EEG) – shows the brain’s electrical activity.

6. The Brain Tools of discovery 4. Three Major Imaging Techniques CT Scan PET Scan MRI

7. Brain Imaging: 3 Types Imaging of the human brain allows us to look inside the brain without surgical intrusion. CT Scan CT (computed tomography) scanning is a much-improved version of x-ray imaging. A CT scan takes a series of cross-sectional photographs, which are then put together to form a three- dimensional image.

8. PET PET (positron emission tomography) scans reveal the activity of different areas of the brain by showing consumption of radioactive glucose (active neurons use more glucose) as the subject performs various mental activities.

9. MRI In MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), spinning atoms within the brain are aligned in a strong magnetic field. A brief pulse of radio waves disorients the aligned atoms, and the signals released as the atoms realign are processed to form images.

10. Two Types of MRI: Structural MRI Shows structures within the brain Click below to view an example Functional MRI Show functioning of different structures in the brain Click below to view an example