＜Research Activitirs＞

Department of Integrative Physiology was established in 1990 for the purpose of investigation of the human brain as an integrated system. A biomagnetometer (Model 700, BTi) was introduced to measure human brain activities non-invasively. In comparison to other methods such as functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Positron Emission Tomography, magnetoencephalography (MEG) has potential to measure brain activities with better temporal and spatial resolution in milliseconds and millimeter, respectively. At present, our research interests are focused on investigation of the mechanisms in the human cerebral cortex for the recognition of words, perception of sensory stimuli, and execution of the voluntary limb movements.

Followings are the research works in progress now.

1. Somatosensory evoked magnetic fields (SEF)
(1) Detailed topography of receptive fields represented in the primary and the secondary sensory cortex
(2) Cortical representation of passive finger and toe movements
(3) Effects of movement or tactile stimulation on SEF ("gating")
(4) Brain process for the pain perception

2. Movement related cortical fields (MRCF)

3. Olfactory evoked magnetic fields (OEF)

4. Visual evoked magnetic fields (VEF)
(1) VEF to pattern reversal stimulation
(2) VEF to apparent motion

5. Event related magnetic fields (ERF)
(1) Brain process for the word recognition
(2) Localization of the brain area responsible for the vocalization

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