methods of investigating brain function Flashcards

1
Q

what is an EEG?

A
  • used when we want to investigate the whole brain
  • Electrical activity on the scalp from millions of neurons is detected and amplified to produce a continuous picture of activity in the brain over a time period
  • Uses small, metal discs called electrodes attached to your scalp
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2
Q

define wave frequency

A

number of waves that pass a given point in a given time period

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3
Q

define wave amplitude

A

the magnitude of a reaction or of a stimulus

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4
Q

what are the positives for an EEG?

A
  • Anyone can participate
  • Cheap
  • Non invasive
  • Range of activities
  • Very high temporal resolution
  • Can detect fast changes
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5
Q

what are the negatives of an EEG?

A
  • Must be connected to computer
  • Electrical fields are mostly blocked by skull, can’t measure deep activity
  • Sign is weak and spatial resolution is poor
  • Don’t show specific area of activity
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6
Q

define functional imaging

A

study of human brain function based on analysis of data using brain imaging modalities

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7
Q

define temporal resolution

A

the accuracy of the scanner in relation to time

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8
Q

define spatial resolution

A

the smallest feature that a scanner can detect

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9
Q

what is the EEG used for?

A
  • Diagnose seizures, strokes, epilepsy, brain injuring and tumors
  • Sleep studies
  • Confirm brain dead
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10
Q

what is an MRI?

A

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING

  • STATIC imaging
  • Magnetic fields and radio waves are rotated around the head
  • Powerful magnet affects nuclei of atoms
  • The waves are tuned to the hydrogen in water and energy released from the hydrogen atom is measured to produce a 3D image
  • It also distinguishes between different types of soft tissue
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11
Q

what are the uses of an MRI?

A
  • Creates high definition 3D image of brain or body

- Very useful for measuring the size of brain structures

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12
Q

what are the positives of MRI?

A
  • Gives detailed knowledge of brain
  • Non invasive
  • No radiation
  • Patient is conscious and awake
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13
Q

what are the negatives of an MRI?

A
  • Expensive and time-consuming
  • Claustrophobic > may cause anxiety
  • Image needs to be seen by an expert
  • Noisy
  • Doesn’t show change in brain over time
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13
Q

what are the negatives of an MRI?

A
  • Expensive and time-consuming
  • Claustrophobic > may cause anxiety
  • Image needs to be seen by an expert
  • Noisy
  • Doesn’t show change in brain over time
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14
Q

what is a PET scan?

A

POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY

  • DYNAMIC imaging
  • Use a radioactive glucose to determine the location of greatest brain activity during a tsk
  • Detects the rate of metabolism of injected substances such as radioactive glucose
  • Records activity over minutes = scan every 40 seconds
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15
Q

what are the uses of PET scans?

A
  • Provides image of brain biochemical processes

- Detects diseases like strokes, tumors, and dementia

16
Q

what are the positives of PET scans?

A
  • Person is conscious, can be doing tasks

- Detects active areas of the brain, not just simple images

17
Q

what are the negatives of PET scan?

A
  • Doesn’t show how healthy the brain is
  • Can’t see the damage
  • Expensive and time consuming
  • Invasive (Radioactive dye)
  • Expert must-read scan
18
Q

what is an FMRI?

A

FUNCTIONAL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING

  • DYNAMIC imaging
  • Shows which brain areas are active when performing a task
  • Blood flow changed are also detected by a scanner using a powerful magnet and radio waves
  • Compares blood flow between 2 parts
  • Scanner is turned to iron in haemoglobin
19
Q

what is an FMRI used for?

A
  • Detects amount of oxygen in blood

- Detects tumours and other diagnostics

20
Q

what are the positives of an FMRI?

A
  • Detail 3D image while functioning
  • Precise info over time
  • Same strengths as MRI
21
Q

what are the negatives of an FMRI?

A
  • Cause anxiety
  • Loud
  • Time consuming
  • Expensive
22
Q

what is a CT scan?

A

COMPUTERISED TOMOGRAPHY

  • STATIC imaging
  • Type of x-ray, scans the brain at different angles
  • Information is fed to computer leading to cross-sectional pictures of slices through the brain
23
Q

what are the uses of a CT scan?

A
  • Aids in detecting tumours and strokes

- Shows possible abnormalities in brain structures associated with mental illness

24
Q

what are the positives of a CT scan?

A
  • Non invasive

- Shows bone, blood vessels and soft tissue

25
Q

what are the negatives of a CT scan?

A
  • Images only show brain structures

- Images are of inferior quality to those from MRI