Neurology, Addiction and Psychiatry Conference

Neuroimaging and neurophysiology: Seeing and Measuring Brain Activity

Neuroimaging and neurophysiology complement one another with regard to their role and what they do: neuroimaging is about observing the structure and activity of the brain through different imaging technologies, whereas neurophysiology explains the electrical and chemical basis of brain functions. Together, these two disciplines give more insights into normal brain activity, the diagnosis of neurological disorders, and the research into neuroscience.

Neuroimaging is a class of non-invasive techniques intended to capture detailed images of the brain and its structures. MRI is among the most popular, taking images of the anatomical part of the brain itself, and functional MRI, an imaging of the brain can identify abnormalities such as tumors, lesions, and atrophy. Though it measures changes in blood flow to certain areas of the brain, fMRI does provide real-time insight into specific cognitively driven tasks and which areas of the brain are active during these.

Positron emission tomography, or PET, is an imaging technique that can measure the metabolic processes in the brain. Radioactive tracers are discovered to depict how glucose and oxygen are utilized in different parts of the brain while being tracked, helpful in diagnosing conditions such as Alzheimer's and epilepsy. Such imaging methods are invaluable for studying brain networks, to deduce the underlying causes of neurological disorders, and so on, and then develop a treatment plan for the patient.

Neurophysiology measures electrical activity in the brain and nervous system. The most familiar neurophysiological tool is electroencephalography, or EEG, which records the electrical signal emitted by the top surface of the brain. EEG diagnosis is fairly common for epilepsy, sleep disorders, and other situations in which brainwave patterns go awry. Another application of neurophysiological monitoring is intraoperative monitoring to look at electrical activity during surgery so that damage to nerves can be avoided.

By combining neuroimaging and neurophysiology, researchers and clinicians map brain activity and understand better how the brain communicates with the rest of the body. Hence, such integration is a perfect bridge to improve knowledge on conditions such as stroke and traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative diseases, where there is a change both in brain structure and function.

Neuroimaging and neurophysiology are two of the most important premises of contemporary neuroscience. Together, they allow for visualizing the brain in action, track a disease's career as it wreaks havoc on neurological tissue, and bring an amplified ability to diagnose, treat, and study complex brain disorders. These technologies are constantly advancing, promising us even greater insights into the mysteries of the human brain.