Brain Mapping - Molecular Basis of Diseases and Behavioural Changes - Coursework Example

Brain Mapping The biological basis of thought has often been a source of interest to scientists since a long time. Currently, such an understanding has been possible through brain mapping. Advances in brain mapping have contributed to understanding of several psychological, surgical and anatomical problems in the brain, thus providing clues for improved management and prediction of treatment outcomes. Functional magnetic resonance imaging, a recent technology in magnetic resonance imaging has been an immense tool in understanding the functional areas of brain. This essay throws insight into methods of brain mapping and the process of development of brain mapping that has been core to the understanding of various diseases and disorders of brain. Introduction The biological basis of thought has often been a source of interest to scientists since a long time. Years of research through noninvasive technology has led to some understanding of the anatomy of behaviour and thought. This has been possible by brain mapping, a useful tool to gain understanding of the functional, genetic and various other molecular aspects of brain. Advances in brain mapping have contributed to understanding of several psychological, surgical and anatomical problems in the brain, thus providing clues for improved management and prediction of treatment outcomes. Brain mapping has been possible through advances in neuroimaging and also automation. Functional magnetic resonance imaging, a recent technology in magnetic resonance imaging has been an immense tool in understanding the functional areas of brain. For example, researchers are now able to see which brain areas are altered during performance of certain movements. Based on such information, it has been possible to divide the brain functionally and also understand as to how different areas of the brain work in conjunction during day-to-day activities (Jones and Overly, 2010). In this essay, brain mapping, methods used for brain mapping and benefits of brain mapping will be discussed. Brain mapping Brain mapping may be defined as a set of techniques related to neuroscience that map the biological properties and quantities onto spatial representations of the brain of the concerned mammal resulting in maps that are easily visualized and understood. Any technology in neuroimaging is actually a part of brain mapping, although brain mapping is considered to be higher form of neuroimaging that produces brain images supplemented by additional non-imaging or imaging data analysis, processing or both, like projecting of maps into analysis of behaviour with respect to regions in the brain. It is very important to understand biological basis of diseases so that appropriate treatment can be based on that. In many diseases, genes have been attributed to the molecular basis of disease because they are the main instruction providers for the cellular molecular machinery. Infact, several genes have been identified for one single disease like 600 for multiple sclerosis (Jones and Overly, 2010). In this regard, a scientific team at the Allen Institute for Brain Science has envisaged a high-tech bridge between genetics and anatomy of brain which is basically an online atlas of the brain of the humans showing activity of about 20,000 human genes (Jones and Overly, 2010). This atlas is likely to expand over the coming years. Even now, the atlas provides an in detailed view of the activity of a particular gene in human being. For example, it is now possible for the scientists to determine the site of genes which encodes specific proteins, including those that are at high chances of being affected by a specific new drug. Based on this information, it is now possible to ascertain the therapeutic and adverse effects of the specific drug. On the other hand, a scientist can concentrate on specific brain structure and known about the genes which function there, thus gaining information about the molecular footprint of the condition. The scientist can also gain information about the various molecular clues to different brain functions like attention, memory, hunger, motor coordination, anxiety and expressions of emotion like happiness (Jones and Overly, 2010). It is very interesting to know as to how the atlas was brought out. Creation of brain atlas was first suggested by Paul Allen, basically a philonthropist and also co-founder of Microsoft. Allen roped in several important scientists in the world in the field of genomics, neuroscience and biology. His idea was to bring neuroscience to the next level. Discussions with scientists led to the idea that a three dimensional map pertaining to gene activity for all known genes through out the brain must be made available. The scientists opined that public availability of such a map would help scientists understand the role of particular gene. When such a gene is identified, the researchers can look into the atlas and find out where in the brain these genes are active so that best candidates genes are easily identified cheaply and also quickly. Such an idea amazed Allen because of the potential of such an atlas in accelerating discovery in science. Thus came up the Allen Institute for Brain Science in Seattle. The ground work for this was based on mouse brain and then was developed the atlas of human brain. This is because; mouse brain is similar to human brain and is less complex and smaller than human brain (Jones and Overly, 2010). The first challenge that was encountered in bring up the atlas was figuring out strategies to map more than 20,000 genes efficiently. Most laboratories in the world were not equipped with technology to map genes quickly and efficiently. Gradually, when mouse brain was mapped, inputs from that atlas became valuable for human brain mapping. Also, advances in science and technology led to better automation and development of high throughput lab machines that were capable of working around the clock and could also complete tasks much faster. Thus, this technology was adapted for the development of brain atlas (Jones and Overly, 2010). Methods of brain mapping Currently, core of brain mapping is structural and functional neuroimaging. For example, in understanding recovery mechanisms following stroke, various technologies are being used to map the brain. Examples of these technologies are magnetic resonance spectroscopy, diffusion-tensor imaging, ligand-based positron emission tomography, regional cerebral blood flow estimation, single photon emission computed tomography or SPECT, regional metabolic rate of glucose PET, functional magnetic resonance imaging, near infrared spectroscopy, magnetoencephalography, electroencephalography and transcranial magnetic stimulation. Through these imaging strategies, an understanding of the cellular, functional and molecular mechanisms pertaining to stroke can be obtained, based on which investigations into post stroke plasticity of brain can be sought (Eliassen et al, 2008). Functional brain imaging is being developed to detect lies and also predict what things people are likely to buy. Functional brain imaging has been useful in understanding various psychological disorders like autism, schizophrenia, depression and dementia. However, this technology does not disclose various biological aspects underpinning these conditions. All the genes of a particular individual are present in each and every cell of that individual. However, they become active only during certain times or activities. It is during this time that the proteins and the RNA transcripts can be seen or visualized. The critical building blocks in our body are proteins and they are the workhorses of each and every cell. Thus, even in brain, proteins have several functions like establishing connections between neural circuits, chemical signaling and cellular house keeping. Any alteration in the gene is known as mutation and this leads to production of malformed proteins leading to diseases like Hungtintons chorea. Also, any changes in the gene expression regulation leads to misplaced or few proteins that contribute to abnormal physiology pertaining to the functions of that protein. This is the basis for neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. While viewing such brain expressions in mouse brain which is similar to human brain, but smaller in size; the brain tissue of the animal is frozen and then cut into minute sections. This is then bathed into molecular survey and the data transformed into 3-D digital reconstruction (Jones and Overly, 2010). Majority of the gens are expressed in specific brain regions indicating the specialized function of these areas. Patterns of expression of genes in these regions create molecular signatures that are identifiable and distinguish the striatal cells which are located deep in the brain and are involved in basic movements. In the cortex, touch information processes in the somatosensory area are different than those expressed in the visual cortex. Thus, gene expressions are typical of the region they are located in and the function they serve (Jones and Overly, 2010). Conclusion Thus, brain mapping is very useful in understanding the molecular basis of diseases and behavioural changes. Brain mapping can be done with advanced neuroimaging technology. Through such an understanding effective treatments and prediction of response to treatment can be done. Allens atlas provided scientists insight into the genetic expression and role of genes and gene mutation in the diseases related to brain. References Eliassen, J.C., Boespflug, E.L., Lamy, M., et al. (2008). Brain-mapping techniques for evaluating poststroke recovery and rehabilitation: a review. Top Stroke Rehabil., 15(5), 427-50. Jones, A.R., and Overly, C.C. (2010). Mapping the Mind. Scientific American Mind, 57- 63. Read More