The paradigms are the experimental tasks that are used to map the brain through functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Its previous validation is essential to guarantee a successful record of the cognitive activity. A paradigm of abstract reasoning formed by a task of semantic and visual analogies was validated in young-adults between 18 and 30 years in the city of Cuenca-Ecuador. The paradigm was programmed in PsychoPy 3, a free software for neuroscience experiments. The results indicated that the experimental paradigm was understandable and easy to solve. It was also found that the average response time in the semantic reasoning task was significantly lower than the average resolution time of the visual reasoning task. Therefore, it was possible to establish the number of stimuli and their average exposure time needed for a functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging
Validación de un paradigma de razonamiento abstracto para Resonancia Magnética funcional (RMf). Validation of an abstract reasoning paradigm for functional magnetic resonance (fMR).
Neuroimagen de la reorganización cortical en pacientes con lesión medular.
Introduction: Spinal cord injury promotes an afferent and efferent disconnection from the cortex causing neurologic deficits. Many imaging studies have shown that neuroplasticity occurs after effective treatments in patients with spinal cord injury.
Objective: The purpose of the study was to make a bibliographic review of the treatments applied after spinal cord injury, studying neuroplasticity and how supraespinal structures react to these treatments as shown by neuroimaging tools such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
Development: Treatments including cell transplantation, antibodies against myelin inhibitors or against antagonists of their receptors, surgical rebuilding methods and motor rehabilitation, can compensate the loss of function of the areas with injury. This improvement is characterized by cortical activation changes.
Conclusion: We conclude that the treatments currently used produce good results in relation to the sensorimotor reorganization in patients with spinal cord injury. fMRI is a valuable tool for the study of cerebral changes in spinal injury.
