New Neuroimaging Technique May Offer More Detailed and Precise Measures of Brain Activity than fMRI
Because fMRI is an indirect measure (oxygenation levels in certain areas of the brain) of neural activity, some scientists are looking to measure a more direct and specific indicator of neural activity: neurotransmitter concentration. Recently, MIT and Caltech researchers have developed a new fMRI sensor that is capable of detecting levels of dopamine, an important neurotransmitter implicated in a variety of human functions and emotional/mood states such as motivation, reward (addiction), and neurodegenerative diseases.
According to Alan Jasanoff, senior author on the paper: “This new tool connects molecular phenomena in the nervous system with whole-brain imaging techniques, allowing us to probe very precise processes and relate them to the overall function of the brain and of the organism.”
Click on the image to learn more about the development of the technique.
OMG. KIMMAH. DID YOU SEE THIS!!!
Brilliant!
