Neuroimaging
Neuroimaging refers to the utilization of various techniques to directly or
indirectly capture images of the brain's structure, function, or
pharmacology. It represents a relatively recent field within both medicine
and neuroscience/psychology.
Neuroimaging can be broadly categorized into two main types:
- Structural imaging, which focuses on examining the brain's anatomy and
diagnosing large-scale intracranial conditions such as tumors and injuries.
- Functional imaging, utilized for diagnosing metabolic disorders and
pinpointing lesions on a more detailed scale, such as in cases of
Alzheimer's disease. It also serves as a crucial tool in neurological and
cognitive psychology research and in the development of brain-computer
interfaces.
Functional imaging allows for the direct visualization of information
processing within specific brain regions. This activity results in increased
metabolism in the involved areas, making them "light up" on the imaging
scan.
One of the more contentious applications of neuroimaging involves research
into "thought identification" or mind-reading.
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