Research How Brain Scans Can Diagnose Injury And Disease
Research How Brain Scans Can Diagnose Injury And Disease Using The Int
Research how brain scans can diagnose injury and disease using the Internet and the Argosy University online library resources. Based on your research, answer the following questions: How do PET and MRI work? If you were showing a person words while having an MRI, what brain areas would probably be active? If a brain injury victim is unable to move the right arm, in which area of the brain would an MRI scan most likely reveal damage? What kind of scan do you think would be best in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease? How do the research tools (equipment and methodology) available today contribute to a greater understanding of “conscious processes and immediate experience” than was possible using trained introspection and structuralism? PETs and MRIs also can diagnose head injuries. Consider the following scenario: You are working at a Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital and meet with Allison. Allison is in the US Army and has just returned home from a deployment. During her deployment, a bomb was thrown into a vehicle in which she was riding. She was not severely injured but was told that she sustained a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). Respond to the following: Define TBI for Allison. Describe any symptoms that Allison might experience. How do you think the army should deal with these injuries? For example, if Allison is not obviously physically impaired, should she be discharged and receive disability pay? Should she be redeployed? If Allison stays in the army, what kinds of jobs do you think she should not perform? Write your initial response in 4–5 paragraphs. Apply APA standards to citation of sources. By Saturday, March 28, 2015, post your response to the appropriate Discussion Area. Through Wednesday, April 1, 2015, review and comment on at least two peers’ responses. Discussion Grading Criteria and Rubric All discussion assignments in this course will be graded using a rubric. Download the discussion rubric and carefully read it to understand the expectations.
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The utilization of advanced neuroimaging techniques such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has revolutionized the diagnosis and understanding of brain injuries and diseases. These modalities offer insights into brain structure, function, and pathology, enabling clinicians and researchers to better interpret neural activity and identify areas affected by injury or disease.
PET scans operate by detecting gamma rays emitted indirectly by a radioactive tracer injected into the bloodstream. The tracer, commonly a form of glucose like fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), accumulates in active brain regions where it is metabolized. This allows PET imaging to reflect neuronal activity and metabolic processes in real-time, making it especially useful for identifying areas of hypometabolism associated with conditions like Alzheimer’s disease or malignant tumors (Vlassenko & colleagues, 2021). The strength of PET lies in its ability to trace biochemical activity, providing functional insight into brain processes that structural imaging cannot reveal.
In contrast, MRI relies on strong magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulses to generate detailed images based on the magnetic properties of hydrogen nuclei in body tissues (Miller & colleagues, 2018). Structural MRI offers high-resolution images of brain anatomy, allowing clinicians to detect structural abnormalities such as tumors, strokes, or trauma-related lesions. Functional MRI (fMRI), a subset of MRI, measures changes in blood oxygenation levels associated with neuronal activity, making it effective in mapping brain regions engaged during specific tasks (Ogawa et al., 1990). When a person is shown words during an fMRI scan, language-associated regions such as Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas in the left hemisphere are typically active, reflecting processes involved in speech production and comprehension (Price, 2012).
Understanding which brain areas are affected by injury provides insights into functional deficits. For instance, a person unable to move their right arm likely has damage in the left motor cortex, particularly in the precentral gyrus, which governs voluntary movement. MRI scans can reveal lesions or damage in this region, confirming the site of impairment (Ropper & Samuels, 2019). When diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease, PET scans using specific tracers such as Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) can detect amyloid plaques, a hallmark of the disease, often before significant cognitive symptoms develop (Morris et al., 2016). Although structural MRI can reveal hippocampal atrophy linked with Alzheimer’s, PET provides a more precise picture of pathological changes.
Technological advances in neuroscience research tools have significantly enhanced our comprehension of “conscious processes and immediate experience,” surpassing earlier methods like trained introspection and structuralism. Traditional introspective methods relied on subjective reports and were limited by individual biases and lack of observable correlates. Modern techniques such as PET and MRI allow objective measurement of neural activity, bridging the gap between subjective experience and observable brain function (Hernández et al., 2019). These tools enable scientists to visualize and quantify brain activity patterns associated with conscious perception, attention, and decision-making, thereby enriching our understanding of the neural correlates of consciousness.
In the context of military personnel like Allison, who sustain mild traumatic brain injuries (TBI), prompt diagnosis and management are critical. TBI refers to a disruption in brain function caused by an external force, such as a blast or collision. Symptoms can vary widely, including headaches, dizziness, cognitive disturbances, mood swings, and sensory alterations (Corrigan et al., 2018). In Allison’s case, even if symptoms are mild or not immediately apparent, neuroimaging can uncover subtle damage to brain tissue, particularly in the frontal or temporal lobes, which are vulnerable to blast injuries.
The military's response to TBI should prioritize both medical treatment and ongoing support. Even mild cases may have lasting effects on cognitive and emotional functioning. Therefore, comprehensive assessment, including neuropsychological testing and imaging, is necessary before making decisions about discharge, disability benefits, or redeployment. If Allison exhibits symptoms affecting her mental health or cognitive capabilities, the army should consider accommodations or restrictions on certain roles, especially those requiring high levels of concentration, decision-making, or physical coordination.
Deciding whether Allison should be discharged, redeployed, or retained in active duty involves assessing her functional capacity and future risks. If her injury predisposes her to secondary impairments or compromises safety in combat or operational roles, she should be restricted from physically demanding or high-stakes tasks. Mental health support and medical monitoring are essential components for her continued service or transition to civilian care. Ultimately, a balanced approach that recognizes her resilience and potential, while safeguarding safety and health, is vital (Gordon et al., 2020).