Using Physics to Image the Functioning Human Brain
by
Prof.A. Mandelkern(Physics Dept. University of California Irvine, CA)
→
Europe/Rome
Aula Conversi (Ed. G. Marconi)
Aula Conversi
Ed. G. Marconi
Description
Until the last century medical practitioners and researchers relied almost
exclusively on their native senses (vision, hearing, feel, taste, smell) to
observe their patients and subjects. Examination of the brain poses a
particularly difficult problem because it is encased by a rigid, opaque
shell protected by the physiological blood-brain barrier.
The discovery of X-rays led to the first of many methods which have extended
our observations to other sources of contrast, including mean Z
(photoelectric absorption), acoustical impedance ( reflection/ transmission
of ultrasound), proton density and local magnetic environment (nuclear
magnetic resonance), tissue color in the infrared (near-infrared diffuse
opticalspectroscopy).
More recent advances permit imaging of physiological function, such as
measuring small electric potentials and magnetic fields to localize current
sources in nerves and muscles, and imaging optical, magnetic and nuclear
moieties attached to active molecular tracers.
I will discuss several methods used in imaging the functioning human brain,
including electrophysiological imaging, structural and functional magnetic
resonance imaging, and molecular imaging with magnetic and nuclear tracers.
