©Arlene R. Taylor PhD

testingIn the past, much of what was learned about the brain was discovered somewhat indirectly (e.g., through observation of behaviors, by studying the anatomy of a brain post-mortem, through evaluating tests from blood and cerebral-spinal fluid).

In the 21st century, testing modalities for brain-function research are opening up the brain much as ocean-going ships once opened up the globe.

Brain imaging equipment is being refined and even developed almost on a daily basis.

  • DTI (Diffusion-Tensor Imaging. A variation of magnetic resonance imaging, DTI is able to measure the diffusion of water molecules through tissue. It was used on studies of 92 pairs of fraternal and identical twins. Researchers found a strong correlation between the integrity of the white matter (e.g., myelin that coats neuronal axons) and performance on a standard IQ test. A high quality of myelin, that seems to be inheritable, appears to correlate with higher IQ scores.
  • EEG (Electroencephalography). Measures the electrical patterns, or brain waves, created by the rhythmic oscillations of neurons. The qEEG measures changes in brain waves.
  • EKG or ECG (Electrocardiography) — not to be confused with Echocardiogram, Electromyogram, Elecgroencephalogram, or Echocariogram.This nonivasive testing modality captures the electrical activity of the heart over time by means of skin electrodes, and records this by an electrocardiographic device. The etymology of the word is derived from electro, related to electrical activity, cardio, Greek for heart, and graph, a Greek root meaning to write.
  • Electromagnetic Energy. A variety of equipment may be used to detect and measure electromagnetic energy, believed to leave neurons of the brain and heart at the speed of light, including:
    • Magnetometers
    • EEGs
    • EKGs
    • SQUID machines
    • Oculargrams
    • Multimeters
    • Holograms
  • MEG (magneto encephalography). Similar to the EEG but picks up signals from neuronal oscillation by honing in on the tiny magnetic pulse they give off rather than the electric field. It is faster than other scanning techniques and can chart changes in brain activity more accurately than either fMRI or PET Scans. Researchers can see how magnetic fields flux throughout the brain during thought processing, and how and where neurons work while the person does a specific task.
  • MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging). Utilizes large circular magnets to align atomic particles in tissue and then bombard them with radio waves. A sophisticated computerized software system called Computerized Tomography converts the information into a three-dimensional picture of any part of the brain.
  • fMRI (Functional MRI). Elaborates the MRI/NMR by adding to it the areas of the greatest brain activity (e.g., areas utilizing larger amounts of glucose and oxygen).
  • Nano-imaging. Uses nanoparticles, about 33 nanometers in diameter when wet, to safely cross the blood-brain barrier (an almost impenetrable barrier that protects the brain from infection) and enable a process known as brain tumor painting. This lights up tumors in the brain. It allows doctors to better pinpoint the location of the tumor, identify its boundaries, and possibly even use the nanoparticles to carry treatment medication.
  • NIRS (Near-Infra-red Spectroscopy). Produces an image based on the amount of flues (e.g., glucose, oxygen) being utilized at any moment by each part of the brain.
  • PET (Positron Emission Tomography) Scans. Identifies the brain areas that are working hardest by measuring their fuel (glucose) intake. It requires an injection into the bloodstream of a radioactive marker.
  • TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation). Uses a powerful magnetic field to stimulate or inhibit precise areas of the brain. May be helpful in working with patients who have been diagnosed with depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
  • Tomography. Imaging by sections or sectioning, through the use of waves of energy, using a device called a tomograph. The image produced is a tomogram. A tomography of several sections of the body is known as a polytomography.

Following is a selected summary of other testing modalities for use with the human body and senses:

Body Temperature

  • Medical thermometer
  • Infrared thermometer

Circulatory System

  • Blood tests for measure a variety of blood-related parameters
  • Electrocardiograph records the electrical activity of the heart
  • Glucose meter for obtaining the status of blood sugar
  • Sphygmomanometer, a blood pressure meter used to determine blood pressure
  • Ballistocardiograph or BCG - measures the recoil of the human body due to the momentum of the blood that is being pumped by the heart

Hearing (loudness in phone)

  • Headphone, loudspeaker, sound pressure gauged, for measuring an equal-loudness contour of a human ear.
  • Sound level meter calibrated to a equal-loudness contour of the human auditory system behind the human ear.

Musculoskeletal System

  • Ergometer - measures power / work of muscles

Nervous System

  • Electroencephalograph - electrical activity of the brain 

Respiratory System

  • Spirometer - volume of air exchanged during inspiration and expiration.
  • Capnograph - concentration or partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the respiratory gases.
  • Pneumograph (or pneumatograph or spirograph - records the velocity and force of chest movements during respiration.
  • Pulse oximeter – measures the oxygen saturation of a patient's blood indirectly (as opposed to measuring oxygen saturation directly through a blood sample) and changes in blood volume in the skin, producing a photoplethysmograph.

Sight

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