Question

What are neural networks, and how do neural networks relate to localized and global brain functioning? What does our knowledge of neural networks tell us about how the brain processes information? How do PET scans and fMRI allow us to see the flow of information throughout networks?

Answer 1

Neural network:

The human brain consist of millions of neurons, these neurons are interconnected together to form a network these network is called as neural network.

These networks plays a major role in the brain functioning . The dendrites of the neuron receives the information and it is transferred by the axon of the neuron to another neuron.

How brain process information:

Initially the information is received by the sense such as vision ,smell etc then it transfers to the dendrites of one neuron, from the dendrites it is transferred to the other neuron by the axon .Between the axon and another neuron synapse is present it is the structure which transmit signal from one neuron to another.This event happen between each and every neuron.This is the way the brain process information via neural networks

In PET scan is started initially by aborbing the radioactive tracers in the body .The radioactive tracers are attached to the glusose which is present in the brain it is one of the main fuel of brain .The active areas of brain utilize the glucose at higher rate than the inactive areas.It helps to detect abnormalities. Neural networks has a major role in the functioning of brain.It indicates where the neural networks are actively works the glucose utilization is higher and where the networks are works in a decreased state the glucose utilization is lower.

fMRI is a diagnostic procedure which is used to assess the blood flow changes in the brain.In brain where the neuronal activity is higher the blood flow is increased when there is decrease in the neuronal activity in some regions the blood flow get decreased. This is the way the PET scan and fMRI allow us to see the flow of information throughout the network.