EmonvanLobenSelsDESMA9

 Neuroscience + Art

I really enjoyed learning about the connection between neuroscience and art in this weeks content. I was always really interested in how the brain worked and had interest in majoring in psychology at some point.  Neuroscience is very important to society and "advances understanding of our basic biology and body function"(Shriver).

Importance of Psychology Today | What's happening at UDC!


Two materials significantly influenced my understanding: The TED Talk on advanced MRI technology, "A look inside the brain in real time," by Christopher deCharms and the reading, "Planetary Re-Enchantment: Human-Animal Entanglements in Victoria Vesna’s Octopus Brainstorming" by Victoria Vesna and Mark S. Cohen.


The TED talk spoke on the new advancement in technology that allows MRI to see real-time brain activity in a patient. Brain MRI's are meant to detect" bleeding, swelling, problems with the way the brain developed, tumors, infections, inflammation, damage from an injury or a stroke, or problems with the blood vessels."(Hirsch 2022).

"this gives you some confidence in asserting 
that that part of the brain is somehow involved in mediating that function"(deCharms 0:43). The MRI is able to see the specific brain functions and see how things are working. 

MRI Scans: Definition, uses, and procedure


Vesta's reading wrote on how the participants in her study wore octopus-shaped EEG headgear that allowed colored lights and sounds to represent their brainwave rhythms. When participants entered a meditative state, these signals synchronized, suggesting mental connection and promoting an increased awareness of interspecies relationships. "Vesna often resorts to devising environments and props that bring one closer to inhabiting the body and environment of other beings"(Vesna 2016). Vesna was able to bring a connection between human and animals during this type of experiment. "The human and the animal brain form a part of the central nervous system"(BYJU's). Since they have similarities, it is much easier to compare these two species. 


Works Cited 

Admin. “Major Difference between Human and Animal Brain.” BYJUS, BYJU’S, 10 July 2020, byjus.com/biology/difference-between-human-brain-and-animal-brain/#:~:text=Similarities%20Between%20Human%20and%20Animal,control%20thoughts%20and%20body%20movement. Accessed 17 May 2024. 

“Cristina Albu.” CMA Journal - Simon Fraser University, www.sfu.ca/cmajournal/issues/issue-ten--enchantment--disenchantment--reenchantment/cristina-albu.html?fbclid=IwAR1twyrqbeKqNrJSUXSihLVGvX_D9ARndxDv3USnw2pTENE_iXHJtIo8v54. Accessed 17 May 2024. 

deCharms, Christopher. “A Look inside the Brain in Real Time.” Christopher deCharms: A Look inside the Brain in Real Time | TED Talk, www.ted.com/talks/christopher_decharms_a_look_inside_the_brain_in_real_time?language=en. Accessed 17 May 2024. 

“Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Brain (for Parents) | Nemours Kidshealth.” Edited by Larissa Hirsch, KidsHealth, The Nemours Foundation, Feb. 2022, kidshealth.org/en/parents/mri-brain.html#:~:text=A%20brain%20MRI%20can%20help,causes%20of%20headaches%20or%20seizures. Accessed 17 May 2024. 

“NICHD Public Web Site down for Maintenance.” Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/neuro/conditioninfo/study#:~:text=Studying%20the%20nervous%20system%20advances,%2C%20nervous%20system%2C%20and%20body. Accessed 17 May 2024. 

Images Cited

“Cristina Albu.” CMA Journal - Simon Fraser University, www.sfu.ca/cmajournal/issues/issue-ten--enchantment--disenchantment--reenchantment/cristina-albu.html?fbclid=IwAR1twyrqbeKqNrJSUXSihLVGvX_D9ARndxDv3USnw2pTENE_iXHJtIo8v54. Accessed 17 May 2024. 

“MRI Scans: Definition, Uses, and Procedure.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/146309. Accessed 17 May 2024. 

tegna2017, Author. “Importance of Psychology Today: What’s Happening at UDC!” What’s Happening at UDC! | Aspire. Accomplish. Take on the World., 7 Mar. 2018, www.udc.edu/social-udc/2018/03/07/importance_psychology_todays_world/. Accessed 17 May 2024. 

Comments

  1. Khanh Bang Huynh-DuongMay 22, 2024 at 3:46 PM

    Hello Emon, I really enjoyed reading your blog post for this week! I also enjoyed this week since I took a course in neuroscience and I thought it was a little bit interesting. As as Psych major, it was eye-opening to see how the brain functions and how psychologists can use the brain to interpret things. I do think the advancement in technology is a huge advantage to society today and looking back at previous studies we can see how far we have come.

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