Sunday, May 17, 2015

Neuroscience + Art

I found the artistic pieces of the sea sponges to be most helpful in understanding this weeks topics. These animals offer clues to the development and origins of the brain and neurological synapses but are being used as an art piece that forms neuroscience, animals, and art all into one. This is a great example of how even neuroscience and art works together to help each other.


In a Ted Talk, Christopher DeCharms talks about a new way to alter brain function. It was an interesting topic because he talked about a way to use art forms such as 3d models in order to help people solve chronic pain issues and other problems through manipulating the brain. By being able to map out and see where different sensations are coming from within the brain, we are able to use that information to manipulate it. Not only is this something that has developed into an important part of neuroscience and medical technology, but it also is an advancement in art.


In an episode of Greys Anatomy, the doctors use a 3d printer to create a replica of a tumor in order to see where they would need to cut before they even saw the actual brain tumor. This episode reminded me of this weeks topic because it shows how the development of art forms, like 3d printing, could help save peoples lives. This new technology allows doctors and people of other professions to create new things from scratch that help further their fields. The welding of art forms and neuroscience is an expanding concept that will help doctors to more easily understand the brain and things of this sort.


Works Cited
"A Look inside the Brain in Real Time." Christopher DeCharms:. Ted Talk, n.d. Web. 17 May 2015. 
"Origins Of Nervous System Found In Genes Of Sea Sponge." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 7 June 2007. Web. 17 May 2015. 
"Season 11 Episode 10 The Bed's Too Big Without You." ABC. ABC, 5 Feb. 2015. Web. 17 May 2015. 
Thernstrom, Melanie. "My Pain, My Brain." The New York Times. The New York Times, 13 May 2006. Web. 17 May 2015. 
Vesna, Victoria. "Unit 7 View." UCOnline. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 May 2015.

1 comment:

  1. You bring up some interesting examples between how artists are manipulating brain signals and scientists are looking to use technology to treat patients better. It's worth noting that although both groups have different ways of exploring new developments in neuroscience they're still overall able to converge towards benefiting society.

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