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New Imaging Techniques - Window on the Brain and Mind
Abu Bakar Abdul Majeed
Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA
40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
E-mail: abubakar@salam.uitm.edumy
Abstract-The brain is perhaps the most
mysterious organ of the human body. But out of
this mystery arises aneven more mysterious
entity, the human mind. The nineteenth and
twentieth century witnessed many great
discoveries of neurophysiologists and
neuropsychologists on the functioning of the
brain and mind, respectively. These
achievements are spurring even greater findings
in neuroscience research this century.
Among the earliest studies on neuroscience
were the anatomy and physiology of the brain.
Neurons are known to be able to transfer
information from to another through chemical
and electrical transmission. Various materials
are known to be transported within neurons for
the purpose of their maintenance. This led to
procedures of injecting radiolabelled or
fluorescence compounds into the brain in
experimental animal and visualising these
indicators using proper recording equipment.
Electrophysiological recording of neuronal
function has also become the mainstay in
research to understand the mechanism of brain
and mind function.
While these early methods have contributed
significantly to the development of brain
research and are still very useful today, new
methods are being introduced to enhance the
quest to understand the brain. One technique that
seems to be getting a lot of attention today is the
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new imaging technique. Positron emission
tomography (PET) and single photon emission
computer tomography (SPECT) measures brain
functions which have hitherto been considered
as being in the realm of psychology. Higher
functions such as memory, and emotions such as
love, have been shown to relate to specific areas
of the brain. PET is also being tested for use to
identify the biochemical nature of
neurodegenerative diseases, and determine how
well therapy is helping patients.
The other imaging technique that is opening
a vital window to the brain and mind is the
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The MRI
can produce detailed anatomical data in the form
of a high quality three-dimensional image of
organs and structures inside the body without X-
rays or other radiation. It can also indicate
structural abnormalities related to diseases.
Funtional MRI has been introduced to identify
regions of the brain that are involved in
perfonning specific tasks. By looking for
differences of intensity between task periods and
relaxation periods, it was possible to identify
areas of the brain that were stimulated by these
tasks.
These new imaging techniques combined
with the established imaging methods using dyes
augur well for further and faster development in
brain and mind research.