Functional Imaging Studies
Not what you're looking for?
Please provide a brief description of how functional imaging studies are conducted.
Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary
How functional imaging studies are conducted is determined.
Solution Preview
Functional imaging studies refer to functional magnetic resonance (fMRI) studies. fMRI is a specific imaging technique that relies on human tissues' tendency to "collect" and use more oxygen when they are in use. Your muscles do so when they are stimulated to contract, as do your blood vessels, but more importantly, fMRI allows us to visualize this phenomenon in the brain. As a result, when someone uses a specific area of their brain, fMRI allows us to visualize those areas "light-up" as they use more oxygen.
This is an incredibly useful tool as it allows us to glimpse a completely intact central nervous system and observe its functions without disturbing it, as the fMRI is completely non-invasive. There are some limitations however: ultimately the spatial resolution, or our ability to pinpoint exactly what areas are activated, is still relatively low, although we often achieve 1cmx1cmx1cm accuracy.
Now, to the details of how such studies are conducted. Normally, a researcher has a basis for believing that certain areas of the brain are more used during certain tasks / at certain times, and wishes to use fMRI to prove it. For example, a big area of ...
Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
Motion Perception
This quiz will help students test their understanding of the differences between the types of motion perception, as well as the understanding of their underlying mechanisms.
A Review of Qualitative and Quantitative methodologies
This quiz is designed to test your knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Knowing the difference between the two can help in making the important decision of which to use when conducting research.
Psychoanalysis and Sigmund Freud
This quiz explores the personality theory of psychoanalysis, in particular reference to how Freud conceptualized of this theory.
Role of Memory in Learning
This quiz addresses the role of memory in the learning process. The quiz differentiates between the different types of memory that facilitate learning.
Piaget's Theories on Development
Do you know all about Piaget's theories on development? Find out with this quiz!