Researchers reveal how “˜mind’s eye’
works
UCLA School of Medicine and Caltech researchers have shed new
light on how the “mind’s eye” works, uncovering
evidence that single neurons ““ individual cells in the brain
““ are involved in recalling specific visual images to
mind.
The study, published in the Nov. 16 issue of the journal Nature,
defines the role that individual neurons play in the brain during
imagery and builds upon previous research findings.
To investigate neuronal activity related to encoding and
retrieval of visual images, researchers recorded the activity of
276 single neurons during several patient sessions.
Researchers implanted electrodes in areas of the brain involved
in memory and social behavior. They recorded impulses from single
neurons in the human medial temporal lobe while subjects were asked
to imagine previously viewed images.
Researchers found that when patients were imagining the images,
the firing rate of the brain cells was almost as high as when the
study subjects were actually looking at the photos.
Of the neurons that fired selectively during both vision and
imagery, 88 percent had identical selectivity, suggesting the brain
processes incoming visual information and visual recall in a
similar manner.
These findings build upon previous research that found that
single neurons in the human brain are involved in memory and can
respond selectively to a variety of facial expressions and
emotions.
Motorcyclists deliver gifts to kids in
hospital
More than 200 motorcyclists biked from Fullerton to Westwood
Sunday morning to deliver holiday gifts to hospitalized youngsters
at Mattel Children’s Hospital at UCLA.
Representing the Southern California Fullerton Harley
Owner’s Group Chapter, participants brought their motorcycles
up to the pediatrics floor so children too ill to come down could
enjoy the festivities.
This was the 11th annual Memorial Toy Run organized by Joyce
Chance, whose son, Johnnie Baker, was hospitalized at age 4 at the
UCLA Medical Center for cancer treatment. After he died of the
disease, Chance organized the toy run in his memory.
Toy donations were gathered by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe
Railroad.
Actor discusses foot operation, urination
Carroll O’Connor has been released from UCLA Medical
Center, where he had a toe on his left foot amputated because of a
circulatory problem related to diabetes.
The 76-year-old actor, best known for his portrayal of the
cantankerous Archie Bunker on the 1970s TV show “All in the
Family,” gave an impromptu news conference as he left the
hospital last week.
He slipped off his white sneaker so TV crews could get a shot of
his bandaged foot, and held up the plastic bottle he carries
everywhere to urinate in.
“When you’re diabetic, you have to pee-pee a lot, so
you’ve got to have one of these with you all the time,”
O’Connor said. “This bottle has to be taken to any
interviews that I do on television, any talk shows. I might at any
moment say to Letterman, “˜Just a minute,
Dave.'”
“Take it to church, take it to the movies, take it in the
car.”
Growing still more graphic, O’Connor went on to explain
the mechanics of urinating while driving.
O’Connor, who appeared healthy and was not accompanied by
relatives or hospital staff as he addressed reporters, was also
hospitalized a year ago to repair scar tissue from a gallbladder
operation.
Compiled from Daily Bruin wire reports.