Before the advent of the modern sophisticated non-invasive techniques brain research was dependent on invasive techniques such as ablation, lesions, and knife cuts. Because of forensic importance and non-availability of the modern day technology, brain autopsy was used for long. Besides them electrical and chemical s timulation were also used to infer to brain control mechanism. Before the development of sophisticated equipments micro and macroelectrode techniques were the advanced available options. The microelectrode technique was used to study activities of a single neuron. For this a tiny glass microelectrode was placed within a neuron with the help of a conducting liquid. It recorded the electrical changes taking place within the neuron and was thus very helpful in understanding the dynamics of normal conduction in a neuron. It was also helpful to understand the effect of toxins on the neurons.

Non-invasive techniques have helped researchers and practitioners understand epilepsy and movement disorders. With technological advancement several non-invasive techniques have come into being and thus the usage of non-invasive techniques has stopped.

Non-invasive Techniques

Our present understanding of the functions performed by the nervous system heavily depends upon the imaging techniques. This has literally made it possible to look into a function brain. Beginning with X-rays, which is not used for brain research, the non-invasive techniques available now, includes EEG, CT Scan, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), PET (positron emission tomography), SPECT (single photon emission computerized tomography), and MEG (magnetoencephalography). The video below shows the X-ray used to examine the skull.