Science Section 5 Flashcards
In 2013, President Obama launched what initiative that focused on giving researchers a more dynamic picture of the brain?
Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative
How much funding was put into the BRAIN Initiative?
$46 million, beginning in 2014
What is the purpose of the Human Connectome Project?
to create the world’s largest map of neural circuit structure and function
What is connectome?
a map of the neural circuit structure and function within the human brain
BRAIN Initiative funding has resulted in…
- publishing a free and open atlas of the mammalian primary motor cortex and led to brand new microscopy technology
What are the two mechanisms used to study the brain since the early 20th century?
Perturbing and recording from the brain (using electrodes)
What is perturbing?
to alter the function of a biological system to see what changes will occur
Downsides of perturbing and recording from the brain
they are invasive techniques
What are noninvasive techniques?
refers to a medical procedure that does not require the introduction of instruments or foreign substances into the body
What are lesion studies?
studies conducted by removing or damaging a region/particular cell type in the brain to understand its necessity for a specific behavior
Are lesion studies ethical used on humans?
Nowadays, no
What is Broca’s Area?
region in the left frontal lobe that is critical to producing speech
Who was ‘Patient Tan’ ?
a patient with severely impaired speech because of a longstanding case of syphilis that damaged Broca’s area caused him to only be able to utter ‘tan’. His brain was examined by Paul Broca after his death.
What is electrical brain stimulation (EBS)?
the implantation of an electrode in the brain to stimulate specific neurons, neural networks, or brain regions in order to study the function of the cerebral cortex
Electrical brain stimulation has been used as early as the beginning of what century?
Nineteenth century
What is deep brain stimulation and what is it used as a treatment for?
using implanted electrodes as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease and tremors
Electroshock therapy
using electrodes on the scalp surface for treatment-resistant major depression
What is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)?
a noninvasive technique that delivers a low electric current through the brain using one positive and one
negative electrode on the scalp; increases or decreases activity in particular regions of the brain
True or False? tDCS has been shown to have been shown to have a particular impact on humans during clinical trials
False because the stimulation it produces is so small (smaller than TMS and an implanted electrode)
What is optogenetics?
a method of controlling a neuron’s activity using light and genetic engineering (it introduces foreign genes that express the code for an ion channels that open or close in response to light)
What is channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2)?
a type of opsin that also acts as an ion channel
What happens when the DNA sequence coding for ChR2 is artificially injected into neurons?
it is expressed as an ion channel that is sensitive to blue wavelengths of light. So if blue light is shone onto the surface of these neurons, the channel will open which allows sodium into the cell, thereby, depolarizing it. Neighboring neurons that didn’t get the gene have no response to the light
How is optogenetics and producing ChR2 using a DNA promoter that only works for certain neurons important?
Scientists can be very specific about which neurons they are targeting and stimulate or inhibit particular cells
What is transcranial magnetic stimulation?
a noninvasive technique that produces a magnetic field via an insulated coil placed on the scalp to alter the
activity of specific parts of the brain (some neurons will depolarize or hyperpolarize); can stimulate or inhibit a small, specific area of the brain without much spread; can be used to create a temporary or virtual “lesion” that prevents those neurons from performing their typical function for a short period of time
What is TMS used for?
Used to treat depression in clinical settings and confirm findings from lesion studies
Downside of TMS
can only target regions of the brain that are close to the surface
What is an MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging is a technique that uses a strong magnetic field to produce detailed images of inside our body
What does higher neural activity demand
It demands more nutrients and oxygen, and in order to meet this demand, oxygenated blood flow increases to these active regions of the brain
How can an Mri see the change in blood flow
Some regions of the brain are more active at a certain point. Higher neural activity requires more oxygen and nutrients, this increases oxygenated blood flow to active regions of the brain
What is a BMI
A BMI is a system that allows a person to control a device or machine only with their thoughts
What part of the brain is responsible for specifically processing faces.
The Fusiform Face Area or FFA
Where is the Fusiform face area or FFA found
It is found on the lower surface of the temporal lobe
theory of localization
a theory that certain parts of the brain are for a unique job
electroencephalogram (EGG)
was formed by Hans Berger, was formed by drilling holes in the brain
what does a BMI allow a person to control
control a device or machine using only their thoughts. like telepathy
What can BMIs be used for
help people with disabilities, enhance human-computer interactions, those who are mute can talk again
What is Computational neuronal modeling?
use of computer algorithms or simulator programs to model the behavior of neurons to learn more about their processes.
What can be used to simulate the interactions between multiple neurons in a large, interconnected web or network of
cells
Neural Network
What is modern AI made out of?
These artificial networks consist of layers of nodes that are analogous to neurons.
what is the deep neural network capable of?
highly advanced problem solving.
What do researchers argue about computational psychiatry
adding computer algorithms to patient - descriptions and behavioral testing could provide more and different types of data about psychiatric patients and provide clinicians with vital tools to improve diagnosis
Which two professions work together in order to analyze data or develop and test new models of nervous system functions.
computational neuroscientists collaborate closely with experimentalists
What is BMI?
Brain-machine interface (AKA brain-computer interface is a system that allows a person to control a device or machine using only their thoughts.
What is computational neuroscience?
Any type of neuroscience that employs mathematical models, computer simulations, or theoretical analysis to understand the development, structure, function, and cognitive abilities of the nervous system: aka theoretical neuroscience.
When was the term computational neuroscience first coined?
In the 1980s
What are artificial neuronal networks
Developed to allow computers to mimic existing networks of neurons in the brain, these networks involve layer of nodes that are analogous to neurons.
When did computational psychiatry began?
2010
How do researches plan to unravel using complex problem-solving networks?
The mysteries of various medical disorders and diseases in fields like computational psychiatry.
Why is Go consider more difficult to calculate or program than chess?
Because the number of possible moves on any give turn is exceptionally vast. There are up to 10^360 potential options.
What type of system was able to beat a professional human player at the board game Go in 2015?
Deep neural network
What does AI stand for?
Artificial intelligence
True or false. Modern AI can also be trained to recognize and respond to certain spoken words.
True
What technology are wearable BMI devices often based on?
tDCS technology or similar external electrodes
what is the most basic explanation of recording the brain?
an electrode implanted in a particular neuron,
what materials’ is used to make an MRI?
Magnet, Gradient coils, radio frequency coils
what can u not wear or have on you while doing an MRI?
metal
what dose MRI stand for?
Magnetic resonance imaging
what dose EEG stand for?
the electroencephalogram
who invented the electroencephalogram?
Hans Berger
when was the EEG invented/ complete?
1920s
what was the original process of EGG?
He put the metal wires into the scalp, now we use electrodes so brain damage yay
