Brain Tutor HD iPad App Review

I have previously posted a review of the brain imaging applications Brain Tutor and 3D Brain.  My original review of the two applications for the iPhone and iPod Touch is located here and a review of the applications for the iPad are located here.

The original iPad review noted that the iPad versions of both applications were essentially the iPhone version with the common 2x modification that essential doubles the size of the image to accommodate the larger screen with the iPad.  There were no iPad specific changes in the original versions of these two popular and very useful applications.  That has now changed with Brain Tutor developing a new app specifically for the iPad called Brain Tutor HD. 

I have downloaded the new app and had the opportunity to spend some time with it.  I am very impressed because it provides two advantages over the iPhone version.  First, the resolution of the images in markedly improved and this improvement takes advantage of the iPad screen resolution.  Second, Brain Tutor HD adds new imaging modules include a both hemispheres view and a new set of images related to fMRI areas of research.

I have posted a comparison of a similar brain region from both the first version of Brain Tutor with the HD version for you comparision.  The top picture shows the frontal lobe using the early version with the second showing the HD version.  You can see the marked improvement in resolution with the new version.

The new both hemispheres view adds to the previous right and left hemisphere views in the previous version.  This is something the larger screen allows.  Like the previous version you can rotate in 3D and zoom images for more detail.

The fMRI module includes the following areas:

• LOC-lateral occipital complex
• hMT+/V5-occipital region responsive to direction and speed of moving stimuli
• FFA-fusiform face area
• PPA-parahippocampal place area
• Hand somatosensory area
• Hand motor area
• SMA-supplemental motor area
• PMA-premotor area
• FEF-frontal eye field
• STG-superior temporal gyrus
• Broca’s area

 Each fMRI area is detailed in location and the method of functional localization.  The task that activates the area is described as well a relevant references related to area described.  Some of the areas lack relevant citations and some of the citations are somewhat dated in the application.

The only real down-side to the new HD version is that it is not free.  Previous versions were free applications and the current iTunes app store price is only $1.99.  This seems very reasonable for the remarkable graphics and the benefit this tool provides in learning brain anatomy.

More information about the Brain Tutor HD application can be found at the Brain Voyager website located here.

The next steps in brain imaging education advances will probably focus on true 3D imaging applications.  Brain Tutor and 3D Brain provide a 3D perspective using a two dimensional screen.  3D viewing applications (probably with new hardware) are likely to provide the next breakthough in understanding neuroanatomy.  Having a whole brain in your hand is a great way to learn but not practical for many.  The advantage of 3D teaching in brain anatomy has been recently demonstrated in a manuscript by Esteves at Boston University School of Medicine.  They found medical students learned better with using 3D modeling experiments to supplement two dimensional teaching methods.  Adding 3D to the iPad and web-based applications is likely to not be far off.

Brain Tutor and Brain Tutor HD screen shots courtesy of Yates Photograpy

Estevez ME, Lindgren KA, & Bergethon PR (2010). A novel three-dimensional tool for teaching human neuroanatomy. Anatomical sciences education PMID: 20939033