MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING: EFFECTIVENESS IN MEASURING

VITAL SIGNS AND DETECTING CERTAIN ABNORMALITIES AND

FRACTURES OF THE HUMAN BRAIN

HENRY JOSEPH M. BERSANO

Master of Technology Education

Abstract

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is widely used in the medical field,

specifically, in measuring vital signs and detecting certain abnormalities and
fractures present in the human brain. The researcher aimed to determine the
effectiveness of using MRI in measuring vital signs and detecting abnormalities
and fractures of the human brain. To determine its effectiveness, it was
compared with Position Emission Tomography (PET). Survey method was used to
determine the effectiveness of MRI. Statistically, T-test was used to compare the
effectiveness of MRI and PET. The researcher concluded that MRI is highly
effective in measuring vital signs and detecting certain abnormalities and
fractures of the human brain.

Keywords: effectiveness, MRI

Introduction

The human brain is capable of doing many cognitive processes such as

memory, intellect, obtaining information from senses, emotions, and many
more. According to Druckman and Lacey (1989), the human brain consists of
neurons, hence, these neurons are capable of many functions that these
activities relate to different psychological processes. Because of this, cognitive
psychologists conduct experiments to measure differences in behaviour under
different circumstances and attempt to fit models to account for response
times, error rates, or various types of decisions. In addition,
psychophysiologists try to gain insight into the mind by observing the activity
of its neural substrate. In collaboration with cognitive psychologists and
physiologists, they measure brain vital signs before conducting medical
procedures. They also check if there are some abnormalities or fractures
present in the brain. To accomplish such tasks, they make use of Magnetic
Resonance Imaging (MRI) to check if there are some unusual activities present
in the brain.

Before the MRI was widely used in the medical field, Position Emission
Tomography (PET) emerged in the medical field. Due to the effects of exposed
radiation, PET is minimally used when measuring vital signs in the brain. MRI
has minimal radiation exposure to patients and is recommendable to certain
procedures that can be used to measure certain vital signs in the brain. The
researcher wanted to conduct this research in order to present as a promotion
to other medical doctors using pieces of technology in detecting certain
abnormalities and fractures in the human brain, and measuring vital signs of
the human brain.

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of using MRI in the

human brain, compared to the PET, which was the technology present prior to
MRI. Specifically, it answered the following questions:

1. Is MRI an effective technology to measure any cognitive

processes and any abnormalities present in the human brain?;

2. What is the state of effectiveness present in the technology

used, specifically:

2.1. Position Emission Tomography (PET)?; and,

2.2. Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

The study focused on the effectiveness of using MRI as technology in

measuring certain vital signs in the human brain; however, the study was only
limited to the PET and MRI used in the medico-psychological field.
Brief Literature Review

Prichard and Schulman (1986) have provided exciting new data from an
increasing number of studies showing that using MRI is feasible to measure
brain ATP, PCr, Pi, and intracellular pH in vivo with phosphorous MRI. With
this, they have emphasized that MRI produces a huge contribution to the
medical field.

RadiologyInfo(2019) indicated that MRI is an excellent tool in searching

for certain abnormalities in the brain. It is considered as an effective tool.

Zur (1991) concluded in his study that MRI is an effective tool in

measuring vital signs of the brain.

Methodology

The researcher conducted the research at Brokenshire Hospital. The

respondents of this study were three (3) medical doctors employed in the
institution who are specialized in measuring vital signs and detecting certain
abnormalities and fractures of the human brain. Overall method of conducting
the research is shown on Figure 1.

Figure 1. Method of Conducting the Research

Two pieces of technology were used in the study: the PET and MRI. These
were used in order to determine if MRI is an effective technology in measuring
vital signs in the human brain. Survey-interview method was used in order to
compare the effectiveness of PET and MRI (See Table 1). After conducting the
survey, the researcher gathered and compared the data, and used the mean as a descriptive
statistical tool to determine the effective technology.

Questions PE MR
T I
1. Which of the following is an effective technology to measure
any cognitive processes?
 2. For any abnormalities present in the brain, which piece of
technology is more commendable?
3. What technology is more effective in measuring vital signs of
the human brain?
Table 1. Sample Checklist

Discussion of Results

Questions PE MR
T I
1. Which of the following is an effective technology to measure
0 3
any cognitive processes?
2. For any abnormalities present in the brain, which piece of
1 2
technology is more commendable?
3. What technology is more effective in measuring vital signs of
0 3
the human brain?
Table 2. Tally sheet of the responses made by the Respondents

In Table 2, results have shown that MRI is mostly used in measuring

any cognitive processes, detecting any abnormalities present in the brain,
and measuring vital signs of the human brain. PET has been used in
detecting certain abnormalities; however, MRI is widely used nowadays.
Based on the overall data presented, MRI is widely used in certain medical
procedures.

Questions PE MR Mea SD
T I n
1. Which of the following is an effective technology 2.1
0 3 1.5
to measure any cognitive processes? 2
2. For any abnormalities present in the brain,
1.4
which piece of technology is more 1 2 2
1
commendable?
3. What technology is more effective in measuring 2.1
0 3 1.5
vital signs of the human brain? 2
Table 3. Overall tally sheet of the responses made by the Respondents
 Overall, MRI shows that this is an effective technology to measure any
cognitive processes, detect any abnormalities present in the brain, and
measure vital signs of the human brain.

Conclusions and Recommendations

The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of using MRI in the

human brain, compared to PET, which was the technology present prior to
MRI. Specifically, its conclusions and recommendations were:

1. MRI is an effective technology to measure any cognitive processes

and any abnormalities present in the human brain.

2. Based on the data presented, MRI has a higher state of

effectiveness in measuring vital signs of the human brain compared
to PET.

3. MRI is effective in measuring vital signs and detecting certain

abnormalities and fractures present in the human brain.

4. MRI can be used by any medical doctor employed in neurology.

Certain protocols must be followed in using the MRI.

5. Future researchers can use other pieces of technology in the future

that can measure vital signs and detect certain abnormalities and
fractures present in the human brain.
References

 Prichard, J.W. and R.G. Shulman (1986). NMR spectroscopy of brain

metabolism in vivo. Annals of Review of Neuroscience.

 Prepare for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). (2019, May 09). Retrieved
from https://radiology.ucsf.edu/patient-care/prepare/mri

 Zur, Y. (1991). 4949041 Magnetic resonance imaging. Magnetic

Resonance Imaging, 9(6). doi:10.1016/0730-725x(91)90558-4