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The past twenty years have seen advancements in technology that were critical to further understanding concepts in cognitive psychology. Two such developments are positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. These scans allow researchers to “see” the brain in action. 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. Music and spatial task performance Nature; Oct 14, 1993; 365, 6447; ProQuest Central pg. Assignment 01 This week we have explored organizational behavior, organization theory, organizational development, and human resources management. What are three major challenges facing healthcare organizations and healthcare managers in Saudi Arabia? Explain how organizational theories provide insights into the solutions to these challenges.

In developing your initial response, be sure to draw from, explore, and cite credible reference materials. At least two references 1-2 pages Due date 23rd Jan 2018

Paper For Above instruction

The rapid advancements in neuroimaging technologies over the past two decades, particularly positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have significantly enhanced our understanding of brain function and pathology. These tools have revolutionized the ability to diagnose, monitor, and comprehend brain injuries and neurodegenerative diseases, thus providing invaluable insights that surpass traditional methods relying solely on behavioral assessment or morphological examination. PET scans operate through the detection of gamma rays emitted by radioactive tracers injected into the bloodstream. These tracers are designed to highlight specific metabolic processes—such as glucose utilization—allowing researchers and clinicians to observe brain activity in real time. Typically, PET scans are invaluable in assessing functional abnormalities, identifying regions with reduced metabolic activity often associated with neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease (Moses et al., 2020). On the other hand, MRI scans use strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of brain structures. Functional MRI (fMRI) specifically measures blood flow changes associated with neural activity, enabling visualization of active brain regions during specific tasks (Huettel et al., 2014)."

When showing a person words during an MRI, the visual and language processing centers of the brain are most active. These involve the occipital lobe for visual perception, the temporal lobe—particularly Wernicke’s and Broca’s areas—for language comprehension and production, and the frontal lobes for higher-order processing (Price, 2012). For example, Wernicke’s area in the posterior part of the superior temporal gyrus and Broca’s area in the inferior frontal gyrus become highly active during word processing tasks, illustrating the distributed nature of language in the brain (Hickok & Poeppel, 2007)."

If a brain injury victim cannot move the right arm, damage is likely located in the motor cortex controlling the contralateral (opposite) side of the body. Specifically, the damage would probably be in the left primary motor cortex, located in the precentral gyrus of the frontal lobe. MRI scans can reveal lesions, contusions, or other structural damages in this region, which are associated with motor control impairment (Kandel et al., 2013). Such damage disrupts the neural pathways responsible for voluntary movement, resulting in hemiparesis or paralysis on the affected side.

Among various brain imaging modalities, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), a specialized form of MRI, is

particularly effective in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease. DTI measures the integrity of white matter tracts and can detect early microstructural changes associated with neurodegeneration (Zhang et al., 2018). These changes often precede cognitive symptoms, making DTI a sensitive biomarker. Additionally, amyloid PET imaging, targeting amyloid plaques—a hallmark of Alzheimer's—also provides direct visualization of pathological protein accumulations, thereby aiding in diagnosis (Jack et al., 2013). Overall, a combination of these advanced scans enhances early detection, prognosis, and management planning for Alzheimer’s disease.

The development of sophisticated neuroimaging tools has vastly expanded our capacity to understand conscious processes and immediate subjective experiences. Unlike trained introspection, which relies on individuals' reports, modern imaging provides objective, quantifiable data about brain activity and states. Techniques such as fMRI, PET, and DTI enable researchers to observe neural circuits involved in perception, emotion, and cognition in vivo. These methodologies help decipher the neural basis of consciousness and facilitate real-time analysis of neural responses to stimuli, thereby surpassing the limits of structuralism and introspective methods which are inherently subjective and limited in scope (Gerrans et al., 2019). Consequently, imaging technology furnishes a more precise, reliable, and comprehensive understanding of human consciousness and mental processes.

The scenario involving Allison, a military personnel who sustained a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), underscores the importance of understanding the condition. TBI, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2019), involves a disruption in brain function caused by an external force, leading to temporary or permanent neurological impairment. In Allison’s case, even a mild TBI can produce symptoms like headaches, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, irritability, and fatigue—some of which may manifest days or weeks post-injury (Maas et al., 2017).

From a military medical perspective, managing mild TBI requires comprehensive evaluation and personalized treatment approaches. The military should prioritize early diagnosis, which involves neuroimaging such as MRI scans to identify structural damage or pathological changes. Rehabilitation programs focusing on cognitive and physical therapy are essential in promoting recovery and functional stability (McAllister & McCrea, 2017). The military must also consider the long-term implications for personnel like Allison, who might experience persistent symptoms such as cognitive deficits, emotional disturbances, or increased susceptibility to future injuries (Sherer et al., 2019).

Deciding whether Allison should be discharged or redeployed depends on the severity of her symptoms and her functional capacity. If her injury results in ongoing impairments that compromise her safety or operational effectiveness, medical disqualification and disability benefits might be appropriate. However, if she recovers well through treatment and rehabilitation, redeployment could be feasible, albeit with considerations of her job suitability—specialized roles that avoid high-risk activities should be prioritized. Jobs involving combat, operational vehicles, or physically demanding tasks might need to be avoided until she fully recovers. In all cases, ongoing monitoring and support are imperative to ensure her health and safety (Johnson et al., 2018).

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2019). Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion. https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/get_the_facts.html

Gerrans, P., Carling, M., & Kelley, J. (2019). Understanding consciousness: Advances in neuroimaging. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 1120.

Hickok, G., & Poeppel, D. (2007). The cortical organization of speech processing. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 8(5), 393–402.

Huettel, S. A., Song, A. W., & McCarthy, G. (2014). Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (3rd ed.). Sinauer Associates.

Jack, C. R., et al. (2013). Tracking pathophysiological processes in Alzheimer’s disease: An updated hypothetical model of dynamic biomarkers. The Lancet Neurology, 12(2), 207–216.

Kandel, E. R., Schwartz, J. H., & Jessell, T. M. (2013). Principles of Neural Science (5th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.

Maas, A. I., et al. (2017). Traumatic brain injury: Integrated approaches to improve prevention, clinical care, and research. The Lancet Neurology, 16(12), 986–998.

McAllister, T. W., & McCrea, M. (2017). Cognitive recovery after mild traumatic brain injury. Journal of Neurotrauma, 34(8), 1673–1684.

Moses, F., et al. (2020). Advances in PET imaging of neurodegenerative diseases. NeuroImage: Clinical, 28, 102431.

Sherer, M., et al. (2019). Long-term outcomes following mild traumatic brain injury: a review. Journal of Neurotrauma, 36(9), 1066–1075.

Zhang, Y., et al. (2018). White matter microstructure and cognition in Alzheimer’s disease: A diffusion tensor imaging study. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 10, 239.