THE ROLE OF NEUROIMAGING IN THE DISCOVERY OF PROCESSING STAGES - A REVIEW

In this contribution we show how neuroimaging methods can augment beha vioural methods to discover processing stages. Event Related Brain Pot entials (ERPs), Brain Electrical Source Analysis (BESA) and regional c hanges in cerebral blood flow (rCBF) do not necessarily require behavi oural responses. With the aid of rCBF we are able to discover several cortical and subcortical brain systems (processors) active in selectiv e attention and memory search tasks. BESA describes cortical activity with high temporal resolution in terms of a limited number of neural g enerators within these brain systems. The combination of behavioural m ethods and neuroimaging provides a picture of the functional architect ure of the brain. The review is organized around three processors: the Visual, Cognitive and Manual Motor Processors.