Brain Imaging: Recorded LIVE at Dragon*Con 2008 (BSP 46)
Dr. Campbell at Dragon*Con 2008
Brain Science Podcast #46 is a discussion of brain imaging with Dr. Shella Keilholz and Dr. Jason Schneiderman. The focus of our discussion is functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which is revolutionizing neuroscience. We talked about both the strengths and weaknesses of this technique. Both of my guests agree that mainstream coverage of this technique tends to exaggerate what we can actually tell from this kind of brain scan. An important principle is that the scan of any single individual can vary greatly from day to day, which means that valid conclusions require data from a large number of people.
Since this episode was recorded LIVE in the Podcasting Track at Dragon*Con 2008, it includes audience questions at the end, which helped bring out additional ideas. I have posted an edited version (but there is still some noise from the room next door). If you are interested in hearing the raw unedited version, click here. I also want to thank Swoopy from Skepticality for all the work she did to make the podcasting track a great success.
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More about my guests:
Shella Keilholz, PhD, is an assistant professor of Biomedical Engineeering at Georgia Tech and the Emory School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA. She is doing studies that involve correlating fMRI scans with the reading from electrodes placed in rat brains. This work is fundamental to improving the correlation between fMRI scans, which reflect brain activity only indirectly, and what is actually happening in the neurons of the brain.
Jason Schneiderman, PhD studied psychology before earning his PhD in neuroscience. His dissertation involved the use of diffusion tensor imaging, which is a new method of scanning that is being used to track the axonal connections in the brain. He is currently doing a post-doctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School, where his team is trying to determine if the connections in the brains of young schizophrenics are different from normal. The goal is to improve early diagnosis because early intervention makes a big difference.
Some recent discussions of fMRI:
Must Read Paper on fMRI -and- The Worst fMRI Science Journalism Ever (Pure Pedantry, 6/27/08)
What we can do and what we cannot do with fMRI by Nikos K. Logothetis, Nature 453, 869-878 (12 June 2008). Note: full text is only available to subscribers.
Can fMRI tell if I secretly love the Yankees? - The Great Beyond (Nature.com) June 16, 2008.
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Send email feedback to Ginger Campbell, MD at brainsciencepodcast@gmail.com.