OK, medical imaging hasn't reached a point where it can answer for you when the physician asks, "How are you feeling today?" But researchers at Duke University are able to spot emotions as they flicker across the brain using functional MRI, according to a new study release Sept. 21.
To build these "emotion maps," the team produced images of 32 individuals after exposure to music and film intended to induce seven emotions. A machine learning algorithm was then used to find a pattern that concurred with each emotional stimulus. The algorithm was then presented with the scans of the study group and asked to identify their emotional states without knowing which music and film clips the individual received.
"It's getting to be a bit like mind-reading," said Kevin LaBar, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University. "Earlier studies have shown that fMRI can identify whether a person is thinking about a face or a house. Our study is the first to show that specific emotions like fear and anger can be decoded from these scans as well."
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Nicholas joined TriMed in 2016 as the managing editor of the Chicago office. After receiving his master’s from Roosevelt University, he worked in various writing/editing roles for magazines ranging in topic from billiards to metallurgy. Currently on Chicago’s north side, Nicholas keeps busy by running, reading and talking to his two cats.