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SAQ Practice 1

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the brain's structure without exposing subjects to radiation. An MRI scan places a subject inside a cylindrical machine and detects energy pulses emitted from atomic nuclei within tissues when in an external magnetic field. While high-resolution MRI can detect slight abnormalities, it may cause unnecessary anxiety or treatment. The technique was used in a study that found increased grey matter in the right and left hippocampi of London taxi drivers compared to controls, correlated with time spent driving. The study provided evidence that extensive spatial navigation experience structurally impacts the hippocampus as seen through MRI scans.

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33 views

SAQ Practice 1

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the brain's structure without exposing subjects to radiation. An MRI scan places a subject inside a cylindrical machine and detects energy pulses emitted from atomic nuclei within tissues when in an external magnetic field. While high-resolution MRI can detect slight abnormalities, it may cause unnecessary anxiety or treatment. The technique was used in a study that found increased grey matter in the right and left hippocampi of London taxi drivers compared to controls, correlated with time spent driving. The study provided evidence that extensive spatial navigation experience structurally impacts the hippocampus as seen through MRI scans.

Uploaded by

lluoxilin1115
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Identify and describe one technique used in brain research–SAQ practice

The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), since we know that the concentration of hydrogen
differs in different types of tissue, we can use this information to produce a three-dimensional
picture of the brain structure. When placed in an external magnetic field, some atomic nuclei
can emit energy, these pulses of energy can be detected, similar to CAT, the subject is
placed on a table that slides inside a cylindrical apparatus. The strength of the fMRI is there
is no radiation exposure, MRI has a better spatial resolution than CAT. but on the other hand,
due to the high resolution, the scanner sometimes picks up slight abnormalities in the brain
that are not related to the original complaint. This may create anxiety and cause people to
pursue unnecessary treatment. Because of the strong magnetic fields, people with the metal
in their body can undergo the procedure, being placed in a narrow tube for a long time may
be an issue for people suffering from claustrophobia, this may be difficult for young children,
furthermore, MRI scans are very expensive.
One study that can link to fMRI to study the grey matter in humans’ brain. The aim of the
study is to examine whether structural change could be detected in the brain of people with
extensive experience of spatial navigation. The researchers found 16 right-handed male taxi
drivers in London. They all had been driving more than 1.5 tears, scans of 50 healthy
right-handed males who did not drive taxis were included in the experiment. The mean age
did not differ between two groups.
The result they found in the study is increased grey matter was found in the brains of taxi
drivers compared with control in two brain regions, the right and left hippocampi, this
increased volume was found in the posterior hippocampus, found a correlation between the
amount of time spent as a taxi driver and volume in the right posterior hippocampus. The
conclusion provides evidence of structural differences between the hippocampi of London
taxi drivers and control participants, therefore suggesting extensive practice with spatial
navigation effects of the hippocampus. And the MRI scans are able to show the researchers
activity in a part of the brain, the MRI scans allowed Maguire to localize the hippocampus in
the brain and investigate the grey matter’s impact to human’s work experience related to the
right side of the posterior hippocampus.

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