4.04 How we study the brain

Question 1

ways we study the brain

Answer 1

• case studies of injured patients
• lesioning (animals)
• brain stimulation (humans)
• brain imaging

Question 2

procedure in which an electrode kills target neurons in an animal’s brain

Answer 2

lesioning

Question 3

temporarily disrupting or enhancing the functioning of specific brain regions using electrical current

Answer 3

electrical brain stimulation (ESB)

Question 4

technique that involves placing electrodes in the brain and then stimulating brain areas at regular intervals using a pacemaker like device; used to treat Parkinson’s disease (and possibly psychiatric disorders)

Answer 4

deep brain stimulation (DBS)

Question 5

technique that involves applying magnetic pulses over the head to stimulate neurons in the brain; possible implications for learning and memory

Answer 5

transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

Question 6

neuroimaging technique: structure map; X-rays of the brain used to map slices of it; shows stroke damage, tumors, injuries, skull fractures and metal bodies; does not show small details

Answer 6

CT/CAT scan

Question 7

neuroimaging technique: structure map; a magnetic field aligns ions in the brain, allowing a computer to take a 3D image; shows small details

Answer 7

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Question 8

neuroimaging technique: function map; electrodes on the scalp measure electrical signals from the brain; tracks brain waves; often used in sleep studies; cannot identify regions of brain activities

Answer 8

electroencephalogram (EEG)

Question 9

neuroimaging technique: function map; tracks glucose uptake by neurons to track areas of activity; used on subjects while they perform tasks

Answer 9

positron emission tomography (PET)

Question 10

neuroimaging technique: function map; tracks changes in oxygen levels in the brain to identify areas of activity; more detailed and clearer than PET scans

Answer 10

functional MRI (fMRI)