Neuroscientific Techniques & Cognition 1
44 Questions
1 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the BOLD technique used for in Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)?

  • Detecting changes in the level of oxygenated blood in specific brain regions. (correct)
  • Analyzing the structure of brain cells.
  • Tracking the movement of blood flow in the brain.
  • Measuring the electrical activity in specific brain regions.

    • Which of the following is a reason that fMRI is considered non-invasive?

  • It does not involve injections or any other procedures that penetrate the skin. (correct)
  • It is a relatively quick and easy procedure to perform.
  • It does not require the use of any contrast agents.
  • It produces images of brain activity without any physical harm.

    • What is a key benefit of fMRI?

  • It can pinpoint the exact location of brain lesions.
  • It can be used to monitor brain activity in real time.
  • It can be used to track the development of brain disorders.
  • It can reveal the functional significance of different brain areas. (correct)

    • What is a limitation of fMRI?

    <p>It requires participants to lie still for extended periods. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary research question of the Cummine et al. (2015) study as described in the text?

    <p>Do brain regions involved in reading and rapid automatized naming (RAN) share any overlap? (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of research on white matter structural integrity in different disorders?

    <p>Identifying the impact of different disorders on white matter structure (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of dyslexia, what is the specific structure that researchers are looking at in relation to the arcuate fasciculus?

    <p>The efficiency of neural signaling within the arcuate fasciculus (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary objective of Van der Auwera et al.'s (2021) longitudinal study?

    <p>To examine the role of the arcuate fasciculus in the development of dyslexia (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the key findings of Van der Auwera et al.'s (2021) study?

    <p>Children with dyslexia have a structurally different arcuate fasciculus compared to children without dyslexia, even before they start learning to read (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Van der Auwera et al.'s (2021) findings, what is the relationship between the arcuate fasciculus and reading skills?

    <p>The state of the arcuate fasciculus, as measured by fractional anisotropy (FA), is predictive of reading skills throughout development, but not necessarily causal (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major advantage of using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in research on white matter tracts?

    <p>DTI provides a high-resolution image of the anatomical structure of white matter tracts (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant limitation of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)?

    <p>DTI only provides information about the structure of white matter, not its function (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential reason why not everyone can or is willing to participate in DTI scans?

    <p>DTI scanning can be time-consuming and require patients to remain still for long periods (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a notable advantage of functional Transcranial Doppler Sonography (fTCDS)?

    <p>Can accommodate participants with cochlear implants (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a disadvantage of fTCDS?

    <p>Relatively poor spatial resolution (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What limitation does fTCDS have when determining brain laterality?

    <p>It can only indicate a general left or right hemisphere preference (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which neuroscientific technique has the capability for real-time brain activity measurement?

    <p>Electroencephalography (EEG) (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What impact do individual differences in middle cerebral artery (MCA) architecture have on fTCDS?

    <p>They complicate the interpretation of results (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary benefit of neuroscientific techniques according to the content?

    <p>They allow for the identification of key brain regions without relying on lesion studies. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement correctly describes Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)?

    <p>It uses a magnetic field to align protons in hydrogen molecules. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to protons in the MRI scanner when a radio wave is applied?

    <p>They shift from alignment and create energy as they relax back. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which technique is NOT mentioned as a type of structural or functional imaging?

    <p>Electroencephalography (EEG) (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a limitation that neuroscientific techniques can help address?

    <p>The limits of behavioral testing in examining implicit processing. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about the density of hydrogen atoms in MRI is accurate?

    <p>Different densities produce different signals during imaging. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor should influence the choice of neuroscientific technique used in research?

    <p>The specific research question and practical constraints. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the capabilities of functional imaging techniques mentioned?

    <p>To evaluate treatment efficacy at a mechanistic level. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one advantage of fMRI in brain research?

    <p>Good spatial resolution (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does fTCDS measure in relation to cerebral blood flow?

    <p>Bilateral blood flow to the middle cerebral artery territory (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What finding was observed by Cummine et al. (2015) regarding RAN and reading?

    <p>RAN and reading activate common brain regions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a disadvantage of fMRI mentioned?

    <p>Poor temporal resolution (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In terms of language processing, fTCDS is particularly useful for understanding what?

    <p>Cerebral dominance and lateralised functions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the research spotlight on the COLA Consortium, what hypothesis was tested?

    <p>The dissociable language laterality hypothesis (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a lateralised function associated with fTCDS?

    <p>Language (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common misconception about fMRI measurements?

    <p>It measures neural activity directly. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary measurement of Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI)?

    <p>Diffusion of water molecules (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a high Mean Diffusivity (MD) indicate about white matter integrity?

    <p>Poor integrity (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of diffusion, what does isotropic mean?

    <p>Equal in all directions (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following colors corresponds to left-right orientation in Fractional Anisotropy (FA) maps?

    <p>Red (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a bright appearance in the Mean Apparent Diffusion Coefficient signify?

    <p>High diffusion (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the sources of fractional anisotropy (FA)?

    <p>Both microscopic and macroscopic factors (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major consideration when using DTI for scanning?

    <p>Patients must avoid movement (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does anisotropic diffusion differ from isotropic diffusion?

    <p>Anisotropic diffusion varies by direction (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements is true regarding DTI?

    <p>DTI provides structural measures of white matter (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the color coding in Fractional Anisotropy maps represent?

    <p>Orientation of water diffusion only (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Neuroscientific Techniques & Cognition 1: Structural & Functional Imaging

    • This lecture covers background to neuroscientific techniques, MRI, DTI, fMRI, and fTCDS.
    • Ciara Egan is the lecturer and director of MSc Clinical Neuroscience at the University of Galway.

    Lecture 1: Structural & Functional Imaging

    • Techniques discussed include: background to neuroscientific techniques, MRI, DTI, fMRI, fTCDS.
    • fMRI is a type of MRI allowing to get functional activity.

    Background – Why do we need so many gadgets?

    • Techniques allow answering questions, not otherwise answerable.
    • Behavioural testing limitations (e.g., implicit processing).
    • Identification of brain regions without lesion studies/animal models.
    • Evaluation of treatment efficacy at a mechanistic level.
    • Potential biomarker identification.
    • Each technique has its own pros and cons.
    • Choice of technique is driven by the research question and practical constraints.

    Background – What makes a good technique?

    • Techniques are evaluated based on temporal resolution, portability, and spatial resolution.
    • Different techniques have different strengths and weaknesses in terms of resolution and application. This is illustrated in a diagram, showing various techniques and their strengths in terms of spatial and temporal resolution.

    Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

    • MRI scanner components (radio frequency coil, gradient coils, magnet, scanner) are described and illustrated.
    • When a material enters the MRI scanner, some protons in hydrogen molecules become oriented with the magnetic field.
    • Radio waves (RF pulse) further shift the alignment of these protons.
    • After turning off radio waves, protons return to their original orientations, releasing energy in the form of radio waves.
    • The signals are captured, processed, and presented as images.
    • Computer image creation is based on hydrogen density differences in grey matter, white matter, and cerebrospinal fluid.
    • T1 and T2 weighted images in relation to the realignment of protons with the main magnetic field and the time it takes to return to equilibrium (showing different aspects of anatomy).

    MRI Scanner Safety

    • MRI machines are powerful magnets.
    • Ferromagnetic objects (metal) are dangerous.
    • Participants without metal in their bodies are necessary for safety.
    • Participants must remove metal objects (jewelry, watches, piercings, coins, glasses).
    • MRI is noisy, require earplugs for the participants.
    • Claustrophobia and anxiety are potential concerns.

    What is structural MRI good for?

    • Patient studies identifying areas of damage relating to symptoms (e.g., Alzheimer's Disease).
    • Volumetric changes in relation to behaviour (e.g., intervention studies).
    • Relationship between structural changes and behaviour is not always clear-cut.

    MRI – Pros and Cons

    • Advantages: good spatial resolution, clinical/experimental utility, relatively non-invasive.
    • Disadvantages: purely structural, not everyone can be scanned (metal implants/claustrophobia), participants need to remain still, and is very expensive.

    Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI)

    • Measures water molecule diffusion in the brain.
    • Illustrates isotropic and anisotropic diffusion (equal in all directions vs different directions).
    • Diffuse tensor imaging is a structural measure of white matter.
    • Measured using an MRI machine.
    • Mean diffusivity(MD), Fractional Anisotropy (FA) and color-coded orientation are used to measure white-matter integrity.
    • Several microscopic and macroscopic factors contribute to anisotropy, such as axon diameter, axon packing density, myelin thickness, axonal alignment etc.

    What is DTI good for?

    • Patient studies examining white matter structural integrity in various disorders (e.g., schizophrenia).
    • FA differences in specific brain structures (e.g., arcuate fasciculus).
    • Studying changes in specific tracts relating to experience.

    Research Spotlight: Van der Auwera et al (2021)

    • Longitudinal study of the arcuate fasciculus (AF) in children with and without dyslexia.
    • DTI used to measure AF FA at different stages of reading acquisition (pre-reading, early reading, advanced reading).
    • Results indicate that FA differences in the AF exist before reading instruction in children with dyslexia, and suggest a predictive relationship between AF FA and reading skills throughout development.
    • Supports the idea of an AF deficit core to poor reading ability.

    DTI – Pros and Cons

    • Advantages: good spatial resolution for white matter tracts, clinical/experimental utility, relatively non-invasive.
    • Disadvantages: purely structural, not everyone is suitable (metal implants/claustrophobia), participants must remain still, very expensive.

    Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

    • A form of MRI used to study brain function.
    • T2-weighted images are used to obtain functional information.
    • Functional information is usually overlayed on a T1 scan taken in the same session.
    • fMRI is based on the BOLD (Blood Oxygen Level Dependent) technique.
    • Changes in oxygenated blood level in specific brain regions are used to infer activation.

    What is fMRI good for?

    • Relates structural information to brain function.
    • Useful for studying the functional significance of brain areas.
    • Useful for identifying regions involved in compensation mechanisms for functions compromised by injuries.

    Research Spotlight: Cummine et al (2015)

    • Investigated the relationship between rapid automatized naming (RAN) and reading ability using fMRI.
    • Four tasks were used: RAN letters, RAN numbers, rapid word reading and rapid non-word reading.
    • Results and conclusions suggest that RAN and reading activate common brain regions and there is a correlation between RAN ability and reading in motor brain regions, but differences occur in non-motor regions.

    fMRI – Pros and Cons

    • Advantages: good spatial resolution, functional measure.
    • Disadvantages: poor temporal resolution, indirect measurement (blood flow), interpretation issues dependent on analysis.

    Functional Transcranial Doppler Sonography (fTCDS)

    • Ultrasound technique based on the Doppler effect.
    • Measuring blood flow in the middle cerebral artery (MCA).
    • Measures bilateral blood flow in the brain, using non-invasive ultrasound. This information is represented as an image, or graphic.

    What is fTCDS good for?

    • Measures cerebral dominance more accurately than behavioural tests.
    • Assessing individual differences in cerebral asymmetries, and group-level differences (patients vs controls).
    • Studying language, face processing, and object recognition functions.

    fTCDS – Pros and Cons

    • Advantages: validated measure of language dominance (WADA comparison), easy to administer, non-invasive, suitable for participants (cochlear implants/metal/claustrophobia), and movement resistant.
    • Disadvantages: relatively poor spatial resolution, can only determine left or right sided dominance, poor temporal resolution, individual differences in MCA architecture.

    Recap

    • Today's topics include background to neuroscientific techniques, MRI, DTI, fMRI, and fTCDS.
    • Lecture 2 will focus on electrophysiology and brain stimulation.

    Any Questions?

    • This is a general question.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    Description

    Explore the foundational techniques in neuroscientific imaging, including MRI, DTI, fMRI, and fTCDS. This quiz delves into their applications, advantages, and limitations in understanding cognition and brain function, guided by insights from Ciara Egan, a leading expert in the field.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser