Introduction to Brain Imaging and Neuroscientific Discovery

Vocabulary flashcards covering tools, techniques, and key terms used by neuroscientists to study brain activity and structure.

EEG (Electroencephalogram)

An amplified recording of electrical waves sweeping across the brain surface, measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.

Lesion

Tissue destruction or damaged brain cells occurring naturally through disease or trauma, or experimentally using electrodes to destroy brain cells.

PET (Positron Emission Tomography)

A technique for detecting brain activity that displays where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue, showing brain anatomy, size, and shape.

fMRI (Functional MRI)

A technique for revealing blood flow and therefore brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans to show brain function as well as structure.

fNIRS (Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy)

An equipment tool that uses infrared light that shines through the scalp on blood molecules to identify brain activity.

Ventricles

Fluid-filled brain areas that MRI scans have revealed to be enlarged in some people who have schizophrenia.

Microelectrodes

Modern devices with tips small enough to detect an electrical pulse in a single neuron and snoop on individual neuronal messages.

Brain Glucose Consumption

The consumption of sugar glucose by active neurons, where the brain consumes $20\%$ of calorie intake despite making up only about $2\%$ of body weight.

Human Brain Project

A $\$1,000,000,000$ project undertaken by researchers from across Europe to explore and map the human brain.