ACCOMPLISHMENTS
MRI helped pediatricians and geneticists investigate a mental retardation known as "18Q Minus". The disorder is one of the most common chromosomal deletions among children. MRI also started the PET, or positron-emission tomography imaging of the brain function of Vietnam veterans with possible post-traumatic stress-disorder including other complications. Related studies in this field has concluded that they have identified bodily responses of the accompanied anxiety. In an updated study, veterans with recurring episodes of anxiety listen to a script from their wartime experience. This technique is designed to trigger anxiety so that PET images can look in the brain for the origin of the disorder. MRI also began to prove that PET images can effectively detect reversible brain injury. It was helped in a rare study of schizophrenics who are suffering their first episode of the illness and hence not taking any anti-psychotic medication. Schizophrenia generally manifests in young adult life and under time of stress. The goal of this project is to have further development in the understanding of schizophrenia.