http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2013/09/25/1306095110.abstract
The “midbrain periaqueductal gray region,” or PAG, is extraordinarily difficult to investigate in humans because of its size and intricate structure. Northeastern University researcher Ajay Satpute is uses state-of-the art imaging to capture this complex neural activity. His technique increases the spatial resoluion of fMRI. As fMRI lacks temporal resolution, there is much room for improvement.
Satpute’s goal is to help scientists explore the grounds of human emotion. “The PAG’s functional properties occur at such small spatial scales that we need to capture its activity at very high resolution in order to understand it,” he explained.
Until recently, neuroimaging studies have been done with fMRI, providing data for understanding how the different areas respond to different stimuli. When those areas become sufficiently small and complicated, their resolution falls short. In the case of the tiny PAG, this problem is paramount because the PAG wraps around a hollow core, or “aqueduct,” containing cerebrospinal fluid, Satpute said. Traditional fMRI instruments cannot distinguish neural activity occurring in the PAG from that occurring in the CS fluid. Even more difficult is identifying where within the PAG itself specific responses originate.
Collaborating with researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital, Satpute used a seven Tesla magnet fMRI. Coupled with manual data analyses, he was able to resolve activity in sub-regions of the PAG with more precision than ever before. The research team showed 11 human subjects images of burn victims, gory injuries, and other content related to threat, harm, and loss while keeping tabs on the PAG’s activity. The subjects also viewed neutral images. The researchers compared results between the two scenarios. The proof-of-concept study showed emotion-related activity concentrated in particular areas of the PAG. While similar results have been demonstrated in animal models, nothing like it had previously been shown in human brains.
Using this methodology, the researchers said they would not only gain a better understanding of the PAG but also be able to investigate a range of brain-related research questions beyond this particular structure.
21 replies on “Brain imaging method improves resolution in PAG studies”
I’m not sure exactly why but this site is loading extremely slow for me.
Is anyone else having this problem or is it a issue on my end?
I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.
It’s remarkable to pay a visit this web page and reading the views of all colleagues concerning this paragraph,
while I am also zealous of getting knowledge.
What’s up, just wanted to say, I enjoyed this blog post.
It was practical. Keep on posting!
Hello There. I discovered your blog using msn. This is an extremely smartly written article.
I’ll be sure to bookmark it and come back to
read extra of your helpful information. Thank you for the post.
I will certainly return.
Simply want to say your article is as astonishing.
The clarity to your publish is simply nice and that i could think you are knowledgeable in this
subject. Fine together with your permission allow me to clutch your feed
to keep updated with impending post. Thanks one million and please keep up the gratifying work.
Saved as a favorite, I like your site!
Hello there! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form?
I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having problems finding one?
Thanks a lot!
What’s up, this weekend is nice in favor of
me, because this moment i am reading this impressive informative paragraph here
at my residence.
Paragraph writing is also a excitement, if you be acquainted with afterward you can write or else
it is complicated to write.
What a data of un-ambiguity and preserveness of precious familiarity regarding unexpected emotions.
Wow, that’s what I was exploring for, what a stuff!
present here at this blog, thanks admin of this web page.
My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find a lot of your post’s to be precisely
what I’m looking for. can you offer guest writers to write
content for yourself? I wouldn’t mind producing a post or elaborating on many of the subjects you write
about here. Again, awesome weblog!
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your
blog and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually
enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your augment and
even I achievement you access consistently
quickly.
Your method of telling all in this post is genuinely good, every one be able
to effortlessly be aware of it, Thanks a lot.
I have been surfing online more than 3 hours these days,
yet I never found any attention-grabbing article like yours.
It is lovely worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all webmasters and bloggers made excellent content as you did, the internet shall
be much more helpful than ever before.
You can certainly see your enthusiasm in the work you write.
The sector hopes for more passionate writers like you who are
not afraid to mention how they believe. At all times follow
your heart.
This is a very good tip especially to those new to the blogosphere.
Simple but very accurate information… Appreciate your sharing this one.
A must read post!
This piece of writing provides clear idea in support of the new viewers of blogging, that truly how to do
running a blog.
You really make it seem really easy together with your presentation however
I in finding this topic to be really one thing that I believe I’d never understand.
It seems too complex and very wide for me. I am having a look forward
in your subsequent put up, I will try to get
the grasp of it!
Yes! Finally something about free audio converter
from youtube.
I’m gone to say to my little brother, that he should also pay a visit this blog on regular basis
to take updated from most up-to-date news.