Brain

A Glance in the Brain

kvd1 — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 14:53:08 +0000

Natalia de Menezes Lyra e Silva

The primate brain is highly specialized, allowing us an incredible range of experiences. This microscopic photo captures cells within a brain region, the hippocampus, involved with learning and memory. Every lived experience that we are able to remember has boosted the formation of new connections in our brains. These connections are affected in diseases that impair memory, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we can observe cells involved with the brain inflammatory response. These cells are upregulated in the brains of AD patients. This technique allows us to better understand how our brains work and how they are altered by diseases.

Location of photograph:

Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University

Prize name:

Health Sciences Prize

Submission Year:

2019-20

The Wiring of the Brain

kvd1 — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 18:03:52 +0000

Donald Brien

An example of Diffusion Spectrum Imaging (DSI) from Queen’s new Prisma Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Some of the most beautiful images generated by MRI are created by imaging the diffusion (movement) of water throughout the brain. From this diffusion, we can generate maps of the neuron connections that are responsible for carrying messages from one area of the brain to another. Seen here, they are coded by direction, such that blue tracts move from foot to head, red tracts move from left to right in the head, and green tracts move from the front to the back of the head. There are 30,000 tracts displayed in this image. By adulthood, the average person has ~160,000 km total length of these tracts.

Location of photograph:

Centre for Neuroscience Studies, MRI Facility, Queen’s University

Prize name:

Art in Action

Submission Year:

2019-20

Network Connectivity: Rewiring Lost Brain Functions

kvd1 — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 18:55:32 +0000

Dr. DJ Cook is a Neurosurgeon at Kingston Health Sciences Centre and an Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery at Queen’s University. In 2018, he was named Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 and recognized for his work in developing minimally invasive surgical procedures for complex brain disorders and for his innovative research focusing on therapy and treatments to enhance recovery for patients who have suffered a stroke. His Translational Stroke Research Lab has received funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation.