NATS 1860 Study Guide - Final Guide: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Near-Infrared Spectroscopy, Radioactive Tracer

• School: York University
• Department: Natural Science
• Course: NATS 1860
• Professor: Keith Schneider

Document Summary

Nats exam: briefly explain each of the following imaging techniques, including which signals are being measured from the brain, and describe one strength and one weakness. Detects small signal due to blood flow. Good combination of temporal and spatial resolution. Indirect inference of neuronal activity through secondary measure (blood flow) Detects gamma rays emitted by a radioactive tracer isotope that is attached to molecules (e. g. glucose in blood) Can measure neuronal activity by proxy though blood flow. Worse spatial and temporal resolution than fmri. The activity of neurons in your brain involves electrochemical activity. A very small but detectable eclectic field can be measured on the surface of the scalp using sensitive electrodes and amplifiers. Similar to eeg, but involves magnetic fields instead of electric field. Improved setup time and subject comfort compared to eeg. Confined to signals at surface of brain. Very strong but brief magnetic pulse is applied near surface of head.