Non-Invasive Techniques
Electroencephalography (EEG):
- electrodes placed at scalp to record signals
- reflection of sum of postsynaptic potentials
- cannot record signals from tangential to scalp/deep inside the brain
- poor spatial resolution (cm), great temporal resolution (ms)
Conditions
- weak signals, need amplification/processing and avoid movements
- cap with recording electrode along with position references: mastoids (behind ear), nasion (on top of nose), inion (base of skull) -- to measure skull circumference
The 10-20 System
A standard method used to identify locations of the various lobes of the brain with respect to each other
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10-20_system_(EEG)#/media/File:21_electrodes_of_International_10-20_system_for_EEG.svg
EEG Methodology
- Bipolar (measure potential difference of electrodes) or unipolar (compare charge to neutral or average)
- one plugs in to differential amplifier and the other to reference electrode, amplifying by 1000-100000 times
- anti-aliasing filter then A/D (analog to digital), then another filter (1-50 Hz)
- can capture "brain waves" at various frequencies
-
neurons have characteristic frequency ranges
i.e. alpha waves - 8-13 Hz in occipital region of awake person when relaxed
beta waves, delta waves, gamma waves
Magnetoencephalography (MEG)
- measures magnetic field of brain via superconducting quantum interfacing devices (SQUID)
- only sensitive to the neurons tangential to scalp due to Maxwell's equations
- also high temporal resolution
- offers better spatial resolution than EEG
- independence from head geometry
- more expensive, non-portable
Maxwell's Equations
The neural stimuli in specific directions as a result of an applied magnetic field
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/Magnetoencephalography.png
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
- detect change in blood flow from activation of neurons during specific tasks
- deoxygenated hemoglobin is more magnetic
- blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) response.
- present stimuli to subjects
- high spatial resolution, low temporal resolution
Functional Near Infrared (fNIR) Imaging
- detect near-infrared light absorbance of hemoglobin in blood (comparing oxygenated or deoxygenated)
- can penetrate skull and reflect back to detectors
- subjects aren't as strict with movements because of optical measurements rather than electrical
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
- measures emission of radioactively labeled chemical injected into blood stream transporting to brain (radiotracer)
- great spatial resolution, low temporal resolution
- drawback requires injection of radioactive chemicals and also have to account for rapid decay of radioactivity
Stimulating the Brain
Invasive Techniques
Microelectrodes
- glass microelectrodes can inject current into cell to excite or inhibit action potentials
- platinum-iridium microelectrodes can also be used
- can be used for DBS and can relieve tremors and gait problems
Direct Cortical Electrical Simulation (DCES)
- electrodes used on the surface of the cortex much like ECoG
- electric current (<15 mA) delivered across bipolar electrodes
- can generate movements or cause particular sensations, or do the exact opposite.
- helps locate where each brain function is located
Optical Simulation
- two photon laser illumination- illuminate the tangent at the membrane of the cell and creates excitation
- optogenetic stimulation - use genetic manipulation to make only certain neurons responsive to illumination
- two photons can selectively excite single neurons while optogenetic can selectively excite a class of neurons
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
- uses electromagnetic induction and generates a magnetic field to create a current in the brain and excite the neurons
- penetrates 3-5 cm into the brain- only for superficial layers
- advantage is non-invasive
Transcranial Ultrasound
- low-intensity pulsed ultrasound to influence neural activation without thermal effects or tissue damage
- worked up to 92% of mice tested
Simultaneous Recording and Stimulation
Multielectrode Array
- Good for both recording spike activity and delivering currents to excite or inhibit neurons
- Some can be used specifically for recording, others for stimulation
Neurochip
- integrated chip to serve multiple purposes
- records from neurons, performs isgnal processing and delivers appropriate stimulation to other neurons
- preprocessor to do spike sorting
- instruct circuit to deliver electrical pulses
Ch3
By tsunwong625
Ch3
- 377