6

Bioinformatics of the Brain

FIGURE 1.2

A four-quarter brain model.

logic by neglecting our creativity and creativity without using our logic. Logic

and creativity are complementary ways of thinking. That is, creative think-

ing generates the idea, while logical thinking tests and develops the idea. For

learning to be effective and create a lasting memory, learning activities need

to engage with both halves of the brain [28].

1.4

Tools to Diagnose Brain Conditions

Other than physical exams, brain conditions can be diagnosed through biop-

sies, tests such as electroencephalogram (EEG), imaging tests such as mag-

netic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) and positron

emission tomography (PET) scans, and laboratory tests with samples from

blood, urine or spinal fluid. There are also new genetic/bioinformatics tools

to understand these conditions such as microarrays that work with prede-

fined transcripts and RNA-sequencing that allows the sequencing of the whole

transcriptome [29]. Brain research has focused on the identification, modeling,

categorization, imaging, and analysis of various brain diseases to gain a better

understanding of the structure and function of the brain as well as to develop