What's Inside MY BRAIN?! fMRI

The benefits of being an fMRI study subject...

Trying to document grad school one YouTube video at a time, from lab equipment to genetics lessons to interviews with other students! Each week is a new view into life as a grad student, and the rollercoaster that is getting a PhD.

Twitter: @AlexDainis
Instagram: Alex.Dainis

Music:
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

(All thoughts and opinions are my own and do not reflect the thoughts or opinions of my institution.)

[sonicthehedshot]

this reminded me of my grad school days. I love the whooshing sound the MRI made. I often fell asleep as they took shots of my brain and kidney for my lab mates projects. good times!

[Cncrdance]

Neat, Alex! I used to be a control in my own immunology study. Every week, $40 for 64 mL of my blood. I found the process fascinating: it was interesting to know I was about to get a cold a day or so before it happened, and I discovered weird abnormalities about my own immune system.

More recently, I've sequenced my own genome a couple times when I was optimizing a protocol and just practicing on various next-gen sequencing platforms. That was even more fascinating, but also a little terrifying, because I know enough about the variations to be a little worried about what I found.

[Fleshcut]

Isn't it weird that, by looking at the pics of your brain, we see all your memories and darkest secrets in a "code". I mean, everything from the first memory, learning how to ride a bike, the first kiss, tons of biology knowledge is written into the brain we just saw XD I love weird thoughts like that.

[Hpfan]

This is so neat! Love hearing about your research and lab experiences, but field trips are always fun too :)

[science_mbg]

What about the fMRI? I mean you said they will check your blood flow while showing certain images? They are restricted for this project?

[DisdainforPlebs]

What was that loud pumping sound during the shot of the MRI machine? Was it a dilution fridge?

[AlyBaumgartner]

That's so cool! Mostly I just get to stand near rocks my friends are studying so I can be the scale. Also, you mentioned the fMRI being really loud. My lab has a magnetometer in it (we use paleomagnetism to date rocks), so I hear that chirping noise in the video on a daily basis. One of the first things I was told when I moved into my office was to contact someone if the magnetometer ever stopped chirping. Because that means that the helium is no longer supercooled (sound waves cool it down to ~4 Kelvin) and the lab is probably filled with gas. Which is obviously bad.

[ola]

Yeah... being in science has a lot of perks one of which is that great opportunity to participate in other's people studies. I love it! :)
Alex, would you do at some point a video about how does a life of grad student looks like in US vs UK? Maybe a collaboration (eg. with Sally?). I know there is a lot of information online, but it's hard to find some really reliable comparison of PhD system when it comes to biological sciences in US vs UK/Europe! That would be super awesome (probably not for all the viewers, but still it might be interesting). I am struggling to decide where to do the PhD and it seems that you have a good perspective. Also, I was surprised you said at some point that you know you definitely do not want to stay in academia. Would you elaborate on it in some future videos? (I don't know why I was surprised, but it would be great to hear your story).
Thanks for the videos! They are really awesome!

[Adi-pwed]

Hi Alex, I was wondering what are some data they collect from these scans? What brain activity were they interested in? So interesting! Have a lovely weekend!

[erictaylor]

Alex, I'm not sure how to tell you this: I really don't think you have a typical brain. You have an extraordinary brain.

[lzygenius]

Since you've been able to have multiple MRIs done would it be possible to construct a 3d model and maybe have it printed by a 3d printer?

[LaceNWhisky]

I had a thought come to mind when you were talking about removing every bit of metal: What if you had something metal inside of you, like an IUD or pins/plates/rods from an injury?

[AkilanR]

What was that periodic sound we hear in the MRI room even before you went inside the machine?

[mc]

You could make a 3D model of your brain with the adequate software. Now that I think about it you could also probably 3D print the model. Would be kinda cool having a little model of your brain on your desk :D

[FrisoTalks]

Can you use this data to print a 3d model of your brain?

[supersmashsam]

I always get plenty of emails about all kind of studies, including some regarding MRI studies. I usually skim those emails, but now I kinda want to try one of these studies!

[Tjousk]

What's it like having a hippo camping in your brain?

Hey Alex, have you seen your brain in 3D? If you have the DICOM file I can make it for you

[Seegalgalguntijak]

The physics and Electronics of how an MRI/fMRI machine works is actually really interesting, and what it is that makes the noise (it's not the magnet, which is sitting perfectly still - at least in an MRI machine, I don't know about fMRI, but to my understanding the main difference between 'functional' MRI or 'normal' MRI is in the software.)

[StoneNinjaPrime]

What's infamous about Jordan Hall? Is it where they did the prison experiment?