MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF Technology
Departments of Biology &
Brain and Cognitive Science
Lesson Plan—Brain Imaging
Summary
During this 60 minute lesson, students will learn about MRI techniques and demonstrate an understanding
of brain anatomy and function. Students will have learned about the lobes of the brain and neuron function
in the previous lesson.
Key
•
•
•
Concepts
Location of lobes of the brain
Functions of each brain lobe
Understanding of the use of MRI techniques
Objectives
• Observe and locate lobes of the brain from MRI images
• Demonstrate understanding of brain lobe functions
• Synthesize opinions of future neuroscience applications
Materials
• Brain Imaging Worksheet
•
MRI images
•
Mind Reading Video
Procedure
1. Explanation of fMRI and MRI techniques and purposes: Teacher and students will discuss what fMRI is,
how it works and why it is useful. (10-15 minutes)
2. Brain Imaging Station Activity: Students will be broken up into groups of 2. They will then visit one of
four stations. At each station they will obtain an image of a “particular patient’s” MRI scan. The students
will have to use the scan to “diagnose” what part of the brain is damaged, what area is affected and what
functions might be involved. Students will be able to look at their textbooks for research. (20-25
minutes)
3. Discussion of Brain Imaging Station Activity answers: Student volunteers will take turns diagnosing a
patient in front of the class and explaining their reasoning. (10 minutes)
4. Mind Reading video and discussion: Students will watch the 60 Minutes Video “Mind Reading” and will
then discuss opinions of video and the future of neuroscience as a class. (20 minutes)
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MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF Technology
Departments of Biology &
Brain and Cognitive Science
Assessment
• Using the MRI station activity, students will identify regions of the brain that are damaged. They will
also need to list possible functions that will be affected by these damaged areas. They will graded on
their answers.
• General understanding will also be assessed orally by asking questions and discussing opinions of the
video.
Additional Resources
Mind Reading- Video, 60 Minutes
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5119805n&tag=related;photovideo
Standards
Massachusetts Science and Technology Frameworks: Biology Grade 9-12
4.4 Explain how the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, sensory neurons, motor neurons) mediates communication
among different parts of the body and mediates the body’s interactions with the environment. Identify the basic
unit of the nervous system, the neuron, and explain generally how it works.
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MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF Technology
Departments of Biology &
Brain and Cognitive Science
Patient A
http://www.disaboom.com/Blogs/daniel502/archive/2008/03/10/my-ms-story.aspx
Patient A is a seventeen year old male with no history of prior medical problems. He received an MRI after a
head-on collision in football practice. Patient A was not wearing a helmet at the time.
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MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF Technology
Departments of Biology &
Brain and Cognitive Science
Patient B
http://www.disaboom.com/Photos/daniel502/images/40380/original.aspx
Patient B is a 12 year old girl with a history of headaches and fatigue. She has had these symptoms for the past
six months.
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MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF Technology
Departments of Biology &
Brain and Cognitive Science
Patient C
http://imaging.cmpmedica.com/cancernetwork/cmhb11/11_26_Fig_1.gif
Patient C is a sixteen year old girl admitted to the hospital after being found unconscience at home. Her mother
reported that she has had difficulty walking and writing for the past few weeks.
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MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF Technology
Departments of Biology &
Brain and Cognitive Science
Patient D
http://www.uiowa.edu/~c064s01/nr088%20copy.jpg
Patient D is an eighteen year old man found unconscious at a party. He was seen taking a handful of pills and
drank numerous alcoholic beverages.
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MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF Technology
Departments of Biology &
Brain and Cognitive Science
MRI Worksheet
You have been given four images of brain scans of different patients. Each image contains some sort of Answer
the following questions for EACH picture.
1. Identify the parts of the brain shown in each picture.
Patient A -
Patient B
Patient C
Patient D
2. Describe where the damaged portion is in each brain.
Patient A -
Patient B
Patient C
Patient D
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MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF Technology
Departments of Biology &
Brain and Cognitive Science
3. What functions might be affected and list possible symptoms.
Patient A -
Patient B
Patient C
Patient D
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