Joseph Dangerfield assists in creating fMRI Paradigm for Brain Surgery

Visiting Assistant Professor Joseph Dangerfield partnered with University of Florida Assistant Professor of Neuroradiology Ibrahim S. Tuna, MD, and Johns Hopkins Assistant Professor of Radiology Haris Sair in creating a paradigm for mapping the music centers of the brain using a fMRI. The goal of the project, which is still classified as experimental, is to be able to perform necessary brain surgery, while preserving the cognitive functions of the musician. The challenge was developing a music paradigm that was equivalent to language paradigms already used to map the language centers in the brain. The first scan using this method occurred on Thursday, 19 Oct. The data collected during the scan of a violinist's brain will be used to continue to develop musical paradigm maps of the human brain, and further study will not only improve our understanding of the human brain, but is proof that music theory can help save lives.