Journal of neuroscience methods
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J. Neurosci. Methods · Sep 2016
Meta AnalysisDemonstration and validation of a new pressure-based MRI-safe pain tolerance device.
One of the barriers to studying the behavioral and emotional effects of pain using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) is the absence of a commercially available, MRI-compatible, pressure-based algometer to elicit pain. The present study sought to address this barrier through creation and validation of a novel MRI-safe apparatus capable of delivering incremental, measurable amounts of pressure inside a scanning bore. ⋯ Our novel MRI-safe device is a valid instrument to measure and administer pressure-based pain.
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J. Neurosci. Methods · Sep 2016
Where's Waldo? The utility of a complicated visual search paradigm for transcranial Doppler-based assessments of neurovascular coupling.
The concept of neurovascular coupling has been postulated since the late 1800s and has been demonstrated most commonly in humans using visual stimuli (e.g. reading, checkerboards). These traditional paradigms evoke only a moderate cerebral blood flow response due to the relative simplicity of the visual stimuli. ⋯ We recommend complicated visual search paradigms such as Where's Waldo be considered for future transcranial Doppler-based neurovascular coupling studies.