After a day off from class, we picked up where we left off. I had promised the monks that we would have a chance to test a system where they could control a computer with the signals from their brains. But first, I discussed methods that neuroscientists use to examine the anatomy and function of the brain. I showed images of brain tissue stained for neuronal cell bodies (nissl stain) and other images of neurons where the entire cell is stained (Golgi stain).
We also talked about different ways to record the electrical activity from the brain (e.g., intra- and extracellular recording, electrocorticography and electroencephalography) and brain scanning techniques (PET, CAT, MRI, fMRI). The monks are thinking about the brain in 3-dimensions now and can easily pick out the major structures of the brain and know what plane of the brain (sagittal, horizontal, frontal) they are looking at.
The program purchased two Emotiv headsets that have 14 electrodes that can be placed on the scalp to record EEG. The EEG can be used to control the direction of movement of a floating cube by the pattern of electrical brain signals. For some reason, I could not get a good signal from the first monk I tried and the system did not work. so, we got another volunteer and added some more saline solution to the electrodes. This time it worked! The monk was able to make the floating move in two different directions by concentrating and performing mathematical functions.
We moved on to other ways that scientists study the brain including animal studies and clinical examination of people who have injuries to their brain. Finally, we talked about mapping the brain with electrical stimulation and how some areas of the skin have more sensory receptors and how more area of the cerebral cortex was devoted to those areas. I thought this was a good time for the monks to confirm this statement, so I gave them ruler, toothpick and tape to perform a two-point discrimination experiment. The monks tested each other by measuring the minimum distance between two points where the two points felt separate. As expected, the monks noticed that the face and fingers had a much smaller distance where they detected two point than they had on their arms, backs and legs.
It was a good thing everyone was doing a hands-on activity because the power went out! About 20 minutes later, after analyzing and discussing the results of the 2-point discrimination test, we started a discussion of the senses. I plan to start with vision before moving on to hearing, touch and the chemical senses. There are only three more lectures planned and there is no way I will get to everything.
We also talked about different ways to record the electrical activity from the brain (e.g., intra- and extracellular recording, electrocorticography and electroencephalography) and brain scanning techniques (PET, CAT, MRI, fMRI). The monks are thinking about the brain in 3-dimensions now and can easily pick out the major structures of the brain and know what plane of the brain (sagittal, horizontal, frontal) they are looking at.The program purchased two Emotiv headsets that have 14 electrodes that can be placed on the scalp to record EEG. The EEG can be used to control the direction of movement of a floating cube by the pattern of electrical brain signals. For some reason, I could not get a good signal from the first monk I tried and the system did not work. so, we got another volunteer and added some more saline solution to the electrodes. This time it worked! The monk was able to make the floating move in two different directions by concentrating and performing mathematical functions.
We moved on to other ways that scientists study the brain including animal studies and clinical examination of people who have injuries to their brain. Finally, we talked about mapping the brain with electrical stimulation and how some areas of the skin have more sensory receptors and how more area of the cerebral cortex was devoted to those areas. I thought this was a good time for the monks to confirm this statement, so I gave them ruler, toothpick and tape to perform a two-point discrimination experiment. The monks tested each other by measuring the minimum distance between two points where the two points felt separate. As expected, the monks noticed that the face and fingers had a much smaller distance where they detected two point than they had on their arms, backs and legs.It was a good thing everyone was doing a hands-on activity because the power went out! About 20 minutes later, after analyzing and discussing the results of the 2-point discrimination test, we started a discussion of the senses. I plan to start with vision before moving on to hearing, touch and the chemical senses. There are only three more lectures planned and there is no way I will get to everything.
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