KUHF: Mysteries of the Brain (2003-06-10)


	Last updated 12:24PM ET June 11, 2003

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Mysteries of the Brain

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HOUSTON, TX (2003-06-10)

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Scientists in the Texas Medical Center are studying the human brain and how it responds to different situations. As Laurie Johnson reports, testing the brain can be as simple as measuring the reaction to your favorite soft drink.

As many as 12 healthy volunteers are processed every day through the Human Neuroimaging Lab at Baylor College of Medicine. The volunteers are exposed to various visual, mental and physical triggers and researchers measure their neural responses. Dr. Read Montague is the director of the lab and a professor of neuroscience at Baylor. He says the tests may be able to help determine why people feel or think a certain way.

The test involves tracking responses through two MRI scanners. Volunteers could end up viewing computer images of words or pictures, or even tasting small squirts of Coke and Pepsi. A process called hyper-scanning allows volunteers to interact with other people around the country in similar labs so researchers can monitor social interaction. Montague says the recorded responses are important to understanding why some people make harmful decisions.

The research includes studies on trust between two individuals, mother to infant attachment and decision making under risk. Montague says results could help doctors when diagnosing mental illnesses like schizophrenia or neurological disorders such as Parkinson's Disease. Montague says the results of the study could change not only medical treatments, but also psychology and even advertising and marketing strategies.

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