3D neuro imaging techniquerealizes Orwellian vision

University of California, San Diego scientists are developing a new imaging modality that will study the body/brain dynamics of humans engaged in normal activity.

The Swartz Center for Computational Neuroscience at UCSD is creating the concurrent brain and body imaging modality MoBI (Mobile Brain/Body Imaging) under a four-year $3.4 million research grant from the U.S. Navy Office of Naval Research. According to principal investigator Scott Makeig, Ph.D., the insight provided by fMRI could be used by MoBI to “read” motivations behind actions by performing cognitive monitoring. If successful, the technique will allow functional studies outside the confined laboratory setting, such as screening the brain activity of workers in stressful situations.