http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110208093258.htm
Scientists today have tuned in to precise frequencies of brain activity to unleash new insights into how the brain works. Researchers have used electrocorticography, a technique for monitoring the brain with a grid of electrodes temporarily implanted directly on the brain's surface. Neurosurgeons use this approach to identify the source of persistent, medication-resistant seizures in patients and to map those regions for surgical removal. With the patient's permission, scientists can also use the electrode grid to experimentally monitor a much larger spectrum of brain activity than they can via conventional brainwave monitoring. Scientists normally measure brainwaves with a process called electroencephalography (EEG), which places electrodes on the scalp. Brainwaves are produced by many neurons firing at the same time; how often that firing occurs determines the activity's frequency or wavelength, which is measured in hertz, or cycles per second. Neurologists have used EEG to monitor consciousness in patients with traumatic injuries, and in studies of epilepsy and sleep. In contrast to EEG, electrocorticography records brainwave data directly from the brain's surface. By using grids to watch consciousness fade under surgical anesthesia and return when the anesthesia wears off, they found each frequency gave different information on how different circuits changed with the loss of consciousness, according to Leuthardt. Their results also showed a series of changes that occurred in a specific order during loss of consciousness and then repeated in reverse order as consciousness returned. Activity in a frequency region known as the gamma band, which is thought to be a manifestation of neurons sending messages to other nearby neurons, dropped and returned as patients lost and regained consciousness.
The article is significant because the brain waves that are being recorded could eventually lead to serious scientific discoveries that could save a few lives and potentially create new life. The neurosurgeons are working to find cures for diseases and ways to understand the human body and its mind. The mind is so complex that if we could get all the answers to it and how it operates that could be very significant to the scientific world.
This article was written very clearly which made it easy for me to comprehend even though the topic was so complex. I enjoyed how the author spoke about how difficult it is for the brain waves to be recorded and gave us a real sense of what the article is about. I liked this article because I feel that one day the more we monitor our brains the more we can learn about ourselves, which could help prevent deaths and create life.
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This review was particularly thoughtful in detail, explanation, and clarity. The concepts being explained were abstract and difficult to understand, yet the review was entirely clear in its simplification. The concepts were explained in lay man's terms, while offering scientific insight as an explanation. The article offered clear distinctions between the old and new methods of brain
observation, while offering insight as to why these new discoveries are ground breaking and important.
To improve this article I would have included more details on where these experiments are being conducted, and whether or not such technology is available the world over, or if such breakthroughs are specific to a certain area. I also would have included specific examples of new technologies that might be developed because of this research, as to clearly illustrate this new research's distinct impact.
Overall, I was most impressed by scientists' ability to monitor the brain's drifting from and back to consciousness, under the influence of anesthesia. This observation offers concrete explanation for the physical symptoms felt during sedation. Such observations could contribute to the discoveries of newer and better anesthetics, potentially used during operations to reduce the risk posed to patients.
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