Investigating the structure and function of the brain
-
Richard H. Thomson
Abstract
Our understanding of the inner workings of the human brain is increasing exponentially. This is due in no small part to the rapidly advancing technology that has evolved from the application of engineering to neuroscience. This chapter reviews some of the more influential tools that are in widespread use in research institutes throughout the world. Beginning with the basics of electrophysiology, a broad overview of the current methods for resolving and modulating neural activity in the fields of imaging and brain stimulation is presented. Special attention is paid to temporal and spatial resolution, i.e., the capacity of the technologies to resolve small detail in time and space. The chapter concludes with a discussion of technical obstacles and future directions.
Abstract
Our understanding of the inner workings of the human brain is increasing exponentially. This is due in no small part to the rapidly advancing technology that has evolved from the application of engineering to neuroscience. This chapter reviews some of the more influential tools that are in widespread use in research institutes throughout the world. Beginning with the basics of electrophysiology, a broad overview of the current methods for resolving and modulating neural activity in the fields of imaging and brain stimulation is presented. Special attention is paid to temporal and spatial resolution, i.e., the capacity of the technologies to resolve small detail in time and space. The chapter concludes with a discussion of technical obstacles and future directions.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgments vii
- Visual consciousness and binocular rivalry 1
- Constituents, organization and processes of the human brain 15
- Overview of visual system structure and function 37
- Early views on binocular rivalry 77
- Psychophysics of binocular rivalry 109
- Investigating the structure and function of the brain 141
- The neuron doctrine of binocular rivalry 167
- Functional neuroimaging of binocular rivalry 187
- Binocular rivalry, brain stimulation and bipolar disorder 211
- High-level modulations of binocular rivalry 253
- Binocular rivalry 281
- The future of binocular rivalry research 305
- Index 333
-
The stereoscopic viewer mentioned in this volume can be bought at http://www.3dstereo.com/viewmaster/svn-tmp.html
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgments vii
- Visual consciousness and binocular rivalry 1
- Constituents, organization and processes of the human brain 15
- Overview of visual system structure and function 37
- Early views on binocular rivalry 77
- Psychophysics of binocular rivalry 109
- Investigating the structure and function of the brain 141
- The neuron doctrine of binocular rivalry 167
- Functional neuroimaging of binocular rivalry 187
- Binocular rivalry, brain stimulation and bipolar disorder 211
- High-level modulations of binocular rivalry 253
- Binocular rivalry 281
- The future of binocular rivalry research 305
- Index 333
-
The stereoscopic viewer mentioned in this volume can be bought at http://www.3dstereo.com/viewmaster/svn-tmp.html
