metode neurostiintifice

Question 1

What are neuroscience methods?

Answer 1

Techniques that allow us to: -investigate brain function
-see brain structures

Brain stimulation methods that allow us to enhance or disrupt brain function

Question 2

What is neuropsychology?

Answer 2

The effects of brain injury or damage

Question 3

What is neuroimaging?

Answer 3

A non-invasive technique that directly or indirectly images the structure, function or pharmacology of the brain or nervous system.

Question 4

What can neuroimaging measure?

Answer 4

Structure
Blood flow - to infer function
Pharmacology - brain chemicals called metabolites
Electrical signals - from neural activity to infer function

Question 5

What can neuroimaging show us about structure?

Answer 5

• different tissue-types
• damage
• volume
• shape

Question 6

Why do we measure blood flow?

Answer 6

Neurones do not store glucose and oxygen.
But neuron firing requires energy to be brought quickly to an area.
This is why blood releases oxygen to active neurones.

(By stimulating an area with neuroimaging we can see which area is active because neurones need to fire and these require oxygen to do so and blood will flow in that area that requires oxygen.)

Question 7

Tell me some features about blood flow imaging

Answer 7

• measured by MRI, PET, DOI
• good spatial resolution (tells you exactly where the activity happens)
• poor temporal resolution (not quick)

Question 8

How do we measure electrical activity?

Answer 8

Directly (EEG) OR
By measuring the magnetic field produced by electrical activity (MEG)

Question 9

What is MRI?

Answer 9

-Images created by using radiowaves to manipulate an electromagnetic field
-Relies on presence of hydrogen in the body for signal

Question 10

What are some strengths of MRI?

Answer 10

Reasonably safe, no radiation
High quality images of soft tissues
3D

Question 11

What are some weaknesses of MRI?

Answer 11

Expensive
Must stay still
Indirect: measures blood flow not neurones

Question 12

What is CT?

Answer 12

Uses multiple X-rays to produce images
Provides info on structure and damage
Poor resolution
Radiating so only used in emergency
Inexpensive

Question 13

What is EEG?

Answer 13

Records the electrical activity of the brain via electrodes placed on the scalp

Question 14

What are ERPs?

Answer 14

ERPs describe EEG signal in response to a stimulus
They are used to infer information about what is happening in the brain during a task = functional activity

Question 15

What are some strengths of EEG?

Answer 15

Safe, non-invasive
Good temporal resolution
Inexpensive

Question 16

What are some weaknesses of EEG?

Answer 16

Poor spatial precision
Limited ability to record structures deeper than the cortex

Question 17

What is PET?

Answer 17

Measures brain metabolism
Tracks the brain’s consumption of radioactive glucose injection, providing images of brain function

Question 18

What are some strengths of PET?

Answer 18

Effective for diagnosis of cancer, Alzheimer’s and epilepsy
Lower dose of radiation than CT scans

Question 19

What are some weaknesses of PET?

Answer 19

Uses ionised radiation
Expensive
Shows function but not structure or location with high resolution

Question 20

What is brain stimulation?

Answer 20

Method for changing neuronal activity
It can disrupt activity - create a temporary lesion to explore whether a brain region is necessary