Glial cells
They support nerve cells in the brain by providing food and support.
Brain Plasticity
The concept that some of our brain will attempt to reroute itself if damaged.
Phineas Gage
Railroad worker who survived a severe brain injury that dramatically changed his personality and behavior; case played a role in the development of the understanding of the localization of brain function
Lesion
The removal or destruction of part of the brain.
EEG machine
Measures brain waves. If you are awake it measures what we call alpha waves (short active waves) and when you are asleep it measures other waves like delta waves (long inactive waves). It is used commonly in sleep research.
Alpha Waves
Short active waves.
Delta waves
Long inactive waves.
CAT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography)
A really sophisticated x-ray of the brain. It gives us a 3D picture of the brain which is great for locating tumors, but it does NOT show brain activity or function.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Gives us the most detailed picture of the brain. There is no radiation so the procedure is safe, but once again it only gives us an idea of structure and not function.
PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography)
This scan is the best way for us to see activity in the brain. The patient will usually swallow a substance (like glucose) and the scan will see what parts of the brain are using the substance. If a patient seems to be using alot of the substance in a cer
Functional MRI
This is essentially a combination of the PET scan and the MRI. This scan can give us the best picture of the brain while showing use blood flow information.