Mind and Brain

One section in this chapter (Bransford, Brown, & Cocking, 2000, p.103) reminded me of an article, which I read years ago, that described a new brain imagining technology called functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). When I saw the images of the brain produced by fMRI that were printed in the magazine, I was amazed. Apparently, Functional MRI produced rapid brain scans, excellent spatial resolution, and provided images that bone tissue obscured with previous imaging methods (RSNA, 2004). I was also surprised to learn that fMRI was completely non-invasive and non-radioactive (Bear, Connors, & Paradiso, 2001 p.177). S. Ogawa of Bell Labs made the first step in the development of fMRI. Ogawa used innovative imaging techniques, blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) contrast, and MRI technologies to measure differences in blood oxygen levels caused by brain activity. (Bear, Connors, & Paradiso, 2001 p.176).

Subsequently, I learned that neuroscientists used fMRI to study brain function and anatomy. The data produced by fMRI technology enabled scientists to “explore the higher level workings of the human mind” (Cohen, 1994). Furthermore, I thought it was interesting that, while even nineteenth century antiquated invasive procedures provided scientists with enough information to locate the brain regions where speech, memory, and other functions were typically processed, the exact location differed among certain individuals. However, the detailed information provided by fMRI allowed radiologists to determine the exact location of neuronal processing within each person (RSNA, 2004). In addition to location, fMRI revealed the timing of cognitive events. This capacity gave researchers the ability to pinpoint and quantify the amount of activity related to perception and memory (NIMH, 1997). To explain the concept, The National Institute of Mental Health (1997) used the following analogy: “Brain circuits, that process short-term information, differ from those that store long-term memory, much as a computer’s random access memory (RAM) differs from hard disk memory.” Short term processing “is used for such tasks as holding phone numbers in mind just long enough to write it down,” as well as for higher cognitive functions, such as planning, organizing, and rehearsing (1997).

Nonetheless, I think that the fMRI may not be the most powerful instrument for studying cognitive function. Rather, it may be what Ogawa and even 19th century researchers, such as Angelo Mosso, used to effectively study the brain: their own “expertise, intelligence, and creativity” (Cacioppo, Berntson, Lorig, Norris, Rickett, & Nusbaum, 2003).

[In Mosso’s experiments] the subject to be observed lay on a delicately balanced table,which could tip downward either at the head or at the foot if the weight of either end were increased. The moment emotional or intellectual activity began in the subject, down went the balance at the head-end, in consequence of the redistribution of blood in his system. (James, 1890).

References

Bransford, J., Brown, A., & Cocking, R. (Eds.). (2000). How people learn: Brain, mind, experience, and school. (Expanded ed.). Washington: National Academy Press.

Cacioppo, J. T., Berntson, G. G., Lorig, T. S., Norris, C. J., Rickett, E., & Nusbaum, H. (2003). Just because you’re imaging the brain doesn’t mean you can stop using your head: A primer and set of first principles. Journal Of Personality And Social Psychology, 85(4), 650-661.

Cohen, M. S., Bookheimer, S. Y. (1994). Localization of brain function with magnetic resonance imaging. Trends in Neurosciences, 17(7).

Bear, M. F., Connors, B. W., & Paradiso, M. A. (2001). Imaging the living brain. In S. Katz & A. Heubeck (Eds.), Neuroscience: Exploring the brain (2nd ed., pp. 173-77). Baltimore:Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

James, W. (1890). Principles of Psychology. New York: Henry Holt and Company.

NIMH (1997, April). fMRI reveals dynamics of working memory. National Institute of Mental Health Retrieved October 4, 2008 from http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/apr97/nimh-09.htm

RSNA. (2004). RadiologyInfo. Radiological Society of North America, Inc. Retrieved October 4, 2008 from http://www.radiologyinfo.com/content/functional_mr.htm