BRAIN SYSTEM 3D: A NEW APP FOR LEARNING NEUROANATOMY

Introduction. In recent years, the use of mobile devices has significatively increased among the college population, especially in Spain, acording to the annual Information Society report. In educational settings, tablets and smarphones are the mobile devices, which offer powerful opportunities to develop new digital resources. These tools factilitate the adquisition of complex contents and therefore, it could be use to enhance the process and learning of neuroanatomy. A number of applications have beed developed so far, but few of them include an evaluation of the educational value assigned by the final users: the students.
Aim. The objective of this study are the following: first, to present a new digital application for the exploration of the human brain based on digital and interactive three-dimensional models and; second, to evaluate the degree of satsifaction for end-users.
Methods. Original cross-sectional images acquired from the Visible Human Project of the National Library of United States were used to ensure real three-dimensional representations of human neuroanatomy. The volumetric generation of the brain structures consisted on three main steps: first, the bilateral segmentation in the cross-sectional images; second, the creation of a polygonal surface mesh; and third, the independent renderization of each of the brain structures and registration with the sectional images. Finally, the application itself was developed using the Software Development Kit (SDK), Objective C as programming language, Cocoa associate tools. Then an eight-items rating scale was carried out to evaluate undergraduate students perception of utility with the applications.
Results. A new application was developed called Brain System 3D avalaible through apple store and itunes store after release at an affordable cost. This application supports traditional neuroanatomy training at undergraduate level using iOS devices such as iphone and ipad into the classrooms. In particular it allows the indiviual and simultaneous display of both: brain structures and cross-sectional images within the brain. This application also provides a powerful tool for an interactive and user-friendly exploration of highly complex neuroantomical concepts such as three-dimensional details and spatial relations among brain structures. Furthermore, a large porcentage of sampled students, over 90%, assigned a very high educational value to this tool and considered that it facilitates student´s independent learning by displaying visually atractive and interactive brain anatomy.
Discussion. Implications of the use of this application and mobile devices in undergraduate educational settings are discussed in the field of neuroanatomy.
Conclusion. Brain System 3D represent a visual and interactive tool for teaching and learning neuroantomy, and for promote college students to engage in an independent learning.