Articles tagged with Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that multiple regions of the brain are involved in determining pain location, contradicting conventional wisdom. The research used functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify areas of brain activity while participants evaluated the spatial location of a thermal stimulus.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center discovered that brain region activation predicts altruistic behavior, suggesting that the ability to perceive meaningful interactions is critical for altruism.
Researchers have identified a neural bottleneck in the brain that prevents simultaneous processing of multiple tasks, such as driving and talking on a cell phone. The lateral frontal and prefrontal cortex regions were found to be responsible for this limitation, which causes a delay in neural activity when performing two demanding tasks.
Neuroscientists at Duke University mapped neural activations for focused attention, shedding light on brain regions and timing involved. The study may aid clinicians addressing attention-related problems in conditions like schizophrenia and ADHD.
A study from Carnegie Mellon, Stanford, and MIT used fMRI to determine brain activity when considering product purchases and predicting buying behavior. The results suggest that consumers trade off immediate pleasure for delayed pain of spending money, explaining overspending on credit cards.
Patients with PTSD exhibit lower pain thresholds, a phenomenon attributed to changes in brain regions involved in mood and cognitive pain processing. The study's findings provide evidence for reduced pain sensitivity in PTSD, shedding light on the complex relationships between trauma, brain function, and pain perception.
Researchers found that motor areas of the brain are activated in a fashion similar to actual movement when watching someone else perform a task with the intention of later replicating it. This discovery may prove important in improving rehabilitation for individuals suffering from brain or bodily injury.
Researchers found that different parts of the brain are activated depending on the cause of itching, with allergen-induced itches activating the supplementary motor and posterior parietal areas. Histamine-induced itches, on the other hand, activate a smaller area of the brain, suggesting a compulsion to scratch in those cases.
A new study using fMRI found that strong brands elicit stronger activity in the brain, activating areas involved in positive emotional processing and self-identification. Weak brands, on the other hand, showed higher levels of activation in working memory and negative emotional response.
A new study found that adolescents playing violent video games exhibited increased emotional arousal and decreased executive function compared to those playing nonviolent games. The researchers used fMRI scans to measure brain activity during tasks requiring concentration and emotional processing.
Scientists found that a particular part of the brain, called the intra-parietal sulcus, is activated to bind together details of an event when it occurs, allowing for more detailed memories. This region is responsible for integrating contextual details and central aspects of the event.
Studies using fMRI reveal that the hippocampus integrates perceptual strands to form coherent memories. The intraparietal sulcus plays a crucial role in binding multiple features of stimuli into a common representation, essential for episodic memory formation.
The Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging at UCL will further bolster the reputation of a laboratory renowned for its research into neural cognition and common neurological diseases. The centre aims to study the functional architecture of the human brain to identify core mechanisms causing common human neurological diseases.
Parkinson's disease impacts brain's centers of touch and vision, affecting more than just motor control. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) reveals widespread abnormalities in somatosensory and visual cortex.
A study published in Current Biology found that the brain's premotor cortex displays the same activity pattern when subjects watch an action as when they hear a verbal description of the same action. This suggests a strong mental link between talk and action.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) identifies critical brain regions prior to surgery, leading to more effective tumor removal and reduced surgical time. In 49% of cases, surgeons altered their treatment plans after fMRI findings, with no reported neurological deficits.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis used brain imaging to identify the most effective memory techniques, finding that visual inspection and verbal elaboration improved memory performance. The study also found individual differences in learning strategies were associated with distinct brain activity patterns.
A team of researchers at the California Institute of Technology has identified a specific region in the brain responsible for processing risk and reward, known as the 'gambling circuitry'. This discovery could help understand abnormal risk-taking behavior in disorders such as addiction and bipolar disorder.
Researchers found that people with autism have lower brain synchronization and rely heavily on visualization to process information. The studies suggest that these differences are related to the brain's cabling and connectivity problems.
Researchers created frequency maps for most of the 11 auditory cortex fields (ACFs) and observed a periodic pattern of topographic preference for certain frequencies. The ACFs were divided into two groups, with three core fields reacting to individual frequencies in simple sounds like tones.
African American smokers show greater brain activation in response to smoking cues compared to Caucasian smokers. The study suggests that metabolism of nicotine may be slower in African Americans, contributing to lower success rates in smoking cessation.
Researchers used fMRI to monitor brain activity in pairs during a social exchange game, revealing a new 'social agency map' that tracks responsibility in social exchanges. The study improves understanding of psychiatric and developmental disorders with broken social capacities.
Researchers found that the ventral mPFC region is more engaged when considering people like oneself, while the dorsal region is more active for dissimilar individuals. The study suggests that focusing on shared similarity between groups can help reduce prejudice.
A neurobiology study found that dread influences human decision-making by activating the brain's pain network and attention centers. The researchers discovered two types of individuals: mild and extreme dreaders, who differed in their brain activity patterns.
A team of University of Michigan researchers used fMRI to capture the brain's instant response to costly mistakes. They found that the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) becomes more active when errors carry consequences, suggesting a key role in emotional responses and decision-making processes.
A recent study published in the Public Library of Science Biology found that brain region IPS is activated when both four-year-olds and adults perceive numerical quantities. The researchers used fMRI to image blood flow in brain regions reflecting activity, revealing a similar neural basis for basic math skills in children and adults.
Researchers found that younger children's brains involved more brain areas during language exercises, indicating greater flexibility. As children matured, brain activity concentrated on the left side, offering hope for rehabilitation of brain function after stroke or traumatic brain injuries.
A new study reveals that mental preparation involving inward focus of attention promotes insight even prior to the presentation of a problem. Brain activity patterns before problem solving, as measured by EEG and fMRI, differ between those who solve problems with insight and methodically.
Researchers propose a theory that the fusiform face area (FFA) recognizes faces based on selective processing of shapes of facial features. Their computational model and experimental studies support this idea, suggesting that face recognition can be achieved by hierarchical shape detectors.
Researchers used fMRI to study how consumers judge brands versus people, finding that similar brain processes are not used. The study highlights the importance of understanding the differences between brand personality and human-like qualities when building brand images.
The Digital Fish Library project will create a high-resolution online catalog of fishes, enabling researchers and the public to digitally probe and dissect specimens. The project aims to develop new methods for data analysis and visualization to penetrate through soft body tissue and provide 3-D images of physiological structures.
Studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) found that the visual cortex uses a specific region known to detect motion of other people, but also engages areas responding to static human form. This clarifies the emerging picture of how the brain makes sense of other individuals' appearances and actions.
The five-year grant will enable large-scale imaging studies on brain disease and illness, improving collaboration among researchers. Function BIRN aims to speed discoveries and treatments for schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, depression, and dementia by sharing data and expertise.
Researchers used fMRI to examine how brains process object size under illusions, finding the primary visual cortex activated more area for a distant object. This challenges the long-held view that the image is just a precise reflection of the retina.
Scientists have found that there are two separate visual streams in the brains of healthy individuals, one for perceiving objects and another for guiding actions. This discovery was made using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and provides new insights into the neural basis of perception and action.
Researchers use functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the brain regions involved in illusory tactile perceptions. The study finds that the same sector of the brain is activated whether the sensation is real or illusory, suggesting a connection between conscious perception and somatotopic cortical processing.
The study found that training increases neural activation in areas associated with executive control, countering the idea that opposite brain areas compensate for cognitive decline in aging. Older adults who received training showed increased activity in brain regions tied to scheduling and planning, similar to younger participants.
Max Planck researchers find that human language processing involves two distinct brain areas, with younger Broca's Area activated for complex grammatical rules and older frontal operculum for simple probability-based rules. The study reveals insights into the evolutionary origins of human language faculty.
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience reveals that emotional brain centers can dampen activity in executive centers responsible for memory tasks. The researchers used fMRI to examine how emotional distractions affect cognitive processing and found a 'see-saw' effect, where activation of emotional centers reduces activity in ...
A study by Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care found that older adults are more easily distracted due to gradual brain changes beginning in middle age. The researchers used fMRI to scan the brains of three age groups, including young adults, middle-aged adults, and older adults, revealing a seesaw imbalance in frontal lobe areas.
Researchers have developed a new method of lie detection using brain MRI, which can accurately identify deception in 92% of cases. The test measures brain activity, eliminating the limitations of traditional polygraph tests.
A year-long study using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) technology has localized a small area in the occipital lobes of the brain responsible for generating visual awareness. This breakthrough discovery clarifies how our brains process visual information and recognize stimuli as visible.
Scientists used fMRI to study how humans learn to associate brand preferences with rewards, finding key activity in the ventral midbrain and ventral striatum. The study sheds light on the neural mechanisms behind consumer behavior and advertising effectiveness.
Researchers developed a technique to record brain activity using BOLD signal while applying electrical microstimulation to the primate brain. The study found that activity patterns are larger than expected, reflecting functional spread via horizontal connections.
A study by Sean Polyn and colleagues used fMRI to track brain activity during memory retrieval, finding the 'bootstrapping' effect where recalling a part of a memory triggers associated memories. This technique could help treat brain disorders like Alzheimer's disease and guide creation of more self-sufficient artificial neural networks.
Researchers will use fMRI technology to map brain regions active during speech and language tasks in healthy subjects, with data from stroke patients used to correlate language deficits with damage to specific brain areas.
A study using fMRI technology found that men and women utilize distinct brain areas when performing similar tasks. This discovery has significant potential for improving psychiatric treatments, particularly for conditions such as major depression.
Research at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that robotic treadmill training increases activity in the brain responsible for muscle movement and motor learning after 12 weeks. The study suggests that rehabilitation strategies can be designed to engage critical areas of the brain necessary for walking.
The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to detect an increase in blood flow to the prefrontal cortex in individuals subjected to stress. The results showed that the effects of stress are more persistent than previously thought, remaining even when the stressor was removed.
Researchers at Penn visualize psychological stress in human brain for first time using fMRI technique, linking it to negative emotions and cognitive decline. The study provides a neuro-imaging marker of psychological stress, paving the way for improved strategies to prevent or correct long-term health consequences.
A recent study published at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting found that brain activity related to face processing is similar in individuals with and without autism. The researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine brain function in people with autism as they processed social cues, including faces.
Researchers found that older adults increase activation in control-related brain regions and additional frontal brain areas when faced with difficult tasks. In contrast, young adults tend to deactivate certain brain regions. These findings suggest that older adults can adapt to challenging situations, although their brains may respond ...
Researchers identified areas of the brain where neuronal activity decreases when objects are made invisible, suggesting a relationship between conscious experience and visual perception. The findings may advance understanding of the brain's interaction with the eye and its importance in medicine, neurology, and psychology.
Researchers found that older individuals with less white matter in the frontal lobes struggle to focus on tasks. The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine brain structure and activation in individuals aged 19-87.
A short course of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) increases finger sensitivity by 15% immediately after treatment, with effects lasting up to two hours. The brain map representing the index finger also enlarges in response to rTMS, corresponding to increased sensory perception.
By combining functional MRI and PET scanning, researchers can gain a more comprehensive view of the brain's functions and explore different aspects of its activity. This new technique allows physicians to better diagnose and treat patients with brain disorders such as stroke, seizure disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases.
A functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study found a causal link between playing violent video games and brain-activity patterns characteristic of aggressive cognitions. The research used a novel frame-by-frame method to analyze game content and measured brain activity, physiological measures, and audio data from the game.
A study found that expectations about pain can significantly affect its intensity. Participants who expected lower levels of pain reported a 28% decrease in pain ratings compared to those who expected higher levels. This suggests that the brain plays a crucial role in shaping the perception of pain.
The study found that two brain regions, nucleus accumbens and anterior insula, are activated before making risk-seeking versus risk-aversion investment mistakes. This discovery may help improve the design of economic institutions to facilitate optimal investor behavior.
The study reveals that a decrease in medial temporal lobe activity tracks the level of perceived memory strength for faces. Graded reductions in cortical responses support graded perceptions of item familiarity, allowing organisms to discriminate between novel and familiar items.