Brain and behaviour Flashcards
Explain one technique used to study the brain in relation to behaviour.
A magnetic resonance image scanner uses magnetic resonance imaging (magnets and readily waves) to produce a picture of the structure of the brain by measuring the hydrogen nuclei in the body. The image can be manipulated to focus on whichever area of interest. Magnetic resonance imaging is the use of a magnetic field combined with pulses of radio wave energy to take the pictures. The picture if 3D. The person is usually placed in a tube-like machine and asked to keep still. One study that links to MRI’s is Draganski.
Draganski’ s aim was to investigate whether structural changes in the brain would occur in response to practicing juggling, an MRI was used. It was a mixed design experiment. The sample were made up of volunteers who were divided i top two groups: jugglers and non-jugglers (IV). Jugglers spent three months learning a juggling routine followed by three months in which they stoped practicing. Participants in the control group never did juggling. Three MRI’s were preformed in both groups: one before the experiment, one at three months, and at six months. The results were that there was no difference in the brain structure between jugglers and non-jugglers before the experiment. After three months of practice, the jugglers had significantly more grey matter in the mid-temporal area of the cortex in both hemispheres. These areas are known to be responsibly for coordination of movement. After six months, the differences decreased, however, the jugglers still has more grey matter in the area’s from the first MRI.
To conclude, grey matter increases in the brain in response to environmental demands and deceases in the absence of stimulation. This shows that there is a cause-and-effect relationship between learning and brain structure. One benefit of using MRI’s is that they show the level to oxygen (activity) in different parts of the brain in a 3D picture allowing us to see the changes in the brain due to learning. The MRI was beneficial to this research as it can identify the specific areas of the brain being used in relation to a specific task, isn’t his case juggling. The results wouldn’t have been able to be obtained without the use of an MRI as Draganski needed to see the differences in activity through the experiment to come to a conclusion.
Describe one study used to explain localisation of function
Localization of function can be defined as different parts of the brain are responsible for different aspects of human functioning, such as behaviors. This links to the biological approach that cognitions, emotions, and behaviors are products of the anatomy and physiology if out nervous system and endocrine system.
Draganski’s aim was to investigate whether structural changes in the brain would occur in response to practicing a simple juggling routine. The research method was an experiment and the design was mixed. The sample were self-selected volunteers who were students and has no prior experience juggling. The procedure was as follows: the sample was divided into two groups: jugglers and non-jugglers(IV). The jugglers spent three months learning a classical juggling routine with thee balls for a minimum of 60 seconds followed by three months in which they were instructed to stop practicing. Participants in the control group never practiced juggling. Three brain scans (MRI’s) were preformed in both groups: one before the start of the experiment, one after three months, and one after six months. The results stated there was no difference in brain structure between the jugglers and non-jugglers before the experiment. After three months of practice, the jugglers had significantly more grey matter in the mid-temporal area of the cortex in both hemispheres. There areas are known to be responsible for coordination of movement. After six months (that is, three months old non-practice) the differences decreased. The DV was the change in brain structure. However, the jugglers still has more grey matter in there areas that’s at the first brain scan. In conclusion, grey matter grows in the brain in response to environmental demands (learning) and shrinks in the absence of stimulation (lack of presence). This shows that there is cause-and-effect relationship between learning and brain structure.
The behavior that’s localized is juggling which uses several parts of the brain such as: Hippocampus, Frontal lobe- motor area, Cerebellum - motor controls, Occipital lobe - vision, motor-eye coordination, Mid-temporal lobe and the basal ganglia. Relative localization is a concept that states that several brain areas are responsible for the same function (and can potentially take over), but only one of these area is dominant. The theory of localization supports that juggling was relatively localized as it uses multiple brain areas when preforming the behavior.
Explain the formation of neural networks with reference to one study
A neural networks is a series of interconnected neurons in which information is transferred which enables us to perform certain function. Neural networks are formed when neurons that are close together fire at the same time leading to synaptic connections through dendritic branching as more dendrites are created and form synaptic connections . If this continues that connection will become stronger. Alternatively, neurons that don’t fire together lose neural connections due to lack of stimulation leading to synaptic pruning.
A study that links to the formation of neural networks is Draganski et al (2004). It aimed to see if structural changes in neural networks would occur in response to practicing a simple juggling routine. It was a mixed design experiment. The groups were randomly allocated to 2 conditions, juggling and not juggling. Jugglers were asked to practice juggling for 3 months and then stop for 3 months. Non jugglers were asked to not practice for 6 months. They conducted 3 MRIs in both groups; before the experiment, after 3 months and after 6 months. There was no difference in the initial MRI but after 3 months there was a significant increase in grey matter and therefore neural network density in the mid temporal area in the brains of the jugglers. After 6 months, there was decrease in the density of grey matter in the mid temporal area from the previous scan of the jugglers brains due to synaptic pruning.
Draganski concluded that grey matter in the brain increases due to learning, and decreases due to a lack of practice. This showed a cause-and-effect relationship between learning and brain structure. This provides evidence for neural networks as when the grey matter increases in the second MRI, more neural networks are formed in the mid-temporal area of the cortex due to learning a new skill. These neural networks are formed due to neurons firing at the same time and therefore creating new synaptic connections through dendritic branching.
Explain neuroplasticity with reference to one study
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change through making and breaking synaptic connection between neurons over the period of life due to external stimulus. In this process, neural networks in the brain change their structure through dendritic branching as the number of dendrites increase and form new connections with other neurons due to learning and other external stimuli, therefore increasing the density of neural connections. This can also be explained through synaptic plasticity as individual neurons can make and break synaptic connections to other neurons therefore changing the structure of its neural network.
A study that links to neuroplasticity is Draganski et al (2004). It aimed to see if structural changes in the brain would occur in response to practicing a simple juggling routine. It was a mixed design experiment. The groups were randomly allocated to 2 conditions, juggling and not juggling. Jugglers were asked to practice juggling for 3 months and then stop for 3 months. Non jugglers were asked to not practice for 6 months. They conducted 3 MRIs in both groups; before the experiment, after 3 months and after 6 months. There was no difference in the initial MRI but after 3 months there was a significant increase in grey matter in the mid temporal area (which is responsible for learning and memory) in the brains of the jugglers. After 6 months, there was decrease in the density of grey matter in the mid temporal area from the previous scan of the jugglers brains due to synaptic pruning.
Draganski concluded that grey matter in the brain increases due to learning, and decreases due to a lack of practice. When grey matter increases, neuroplasticity is taking place through dendritic branching and when grey matter decreases, it is taking place through synaptic pruning. Dendritic branching is seen in the second MRI as the density of grey matter increases due to repeated practice whereas synaptic pruning is seen in the third MRI as the density of grey matter decreases in response to the lack of practice.
Explain synaptic pruning with reference to one study
Synaptic pruning is an example of neuroplasticity and is a process where a neuron is not used or under-stimulated is to repurposed. This is a way for the brain to remove neurons that are no longer needed, making neural networks more efficient. This makes the process of firing neurons together more efficient as there is less steps to carrying out the neurological function, and the neurons are repurposed somewhere else that is needed in the brain. Through synaptic pruning, the more commonly used neural networks become more effective and this helps the formation and connections of other more frequently used neural networks.
A study that links to synaptic pruning is Draganski et al (2004). It aimed to see if structural changes in neural networks would occur in response to practicing a simple juggling routine. It was a mixed design experiment. The groups were randomly allocated to 2 conditions, juggling and not juggling. Jugglers were asked to practice juggling for 3 months and then stop for 3 months. Non jugglers were asked to not practice for 6 months. They conducted 3 MRIs in both groups; before the experiment, after 3 months and after 6 months. There was no difference in the initial MRI but after 3 months there was a significant increase in grey matter in the mid temporal area in the brains of the jugglers. After 6 months, there was decrease of grey matter in the mid temporal area from the previous scan of the jugglers brains due to synaptic pruning. There was a lack of practice by the jugglers, means the neural connections formed were no longer needed cause synaptic pruning to take place.
Draganski concluded that grey matter in the brain increases due to learning, and decreases due to lack of practice. This showed a cause-and-effect relationship between learning and brain structure. Grey matter increases in certain areas of the brain in response to environmental demands (learning) and synaptic pruning occurred as neurons weren’t being activated together so as a result of lack of practice as the neural networks were no longer needed and connections were removed.synapses for juggling were pruned so that they could be repurposed. This shows there is a link between learning and the frequency in which synaptic pruning occurs. However, there was still a remaining neural network as they still had more grey matter in the hippocampus then before the experiment. Draganski used MRI brain scans to observe less grey matter showing less neural networks.
Explain the role of one neurotransmitter in human behaviour, making use of one study
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers which carry electrochemical impulse through the synapse, passing on information. One example of a neurotransmitter is Acetylchlorine. ACH is responsible for encoding information in the brain and therefore, learning. ACH is an agonist which increases the neurotransmitters effect making excitations and inhibition stronger. When a chemical is an agonist, this means it mimics the neurotransmitter itself and brings to the receptor site of the post-synaptic neurone. In addition, it should be noted that ACH is endogenous, this means developed and are produced within an organism have no external cause. Antonova at Al’s study in 2011 demonstrates the effects of an agonists on learning.
The aim of Antonova at Al’s study was to see the affects of Acetylchlorine in the encoding of memory. The method was an experiment. Participants were injected with either scopolamine or a placebo, 70–90 minutes before participating in the task. It was a double blind procedure and participants were randomly allocated. Participants were put in am FMRI and scanned while playing the ‘area task’ Their task was to navigate around an arena till they found the pole, after they knew where the pole was the screen would go black. Participants were told to rehearse and when the arena reappeared they would be in a different starting point and have to use their spatial memory to navigate to the pole. Participants were trained so they were comfortable with the joystick and understood the rules of the game. The participants brain activity was measured for six trials. The participants returned 3-4 weeks later to redo the test. The results were as follows: Researchers found that the participants that were injected with scopolamine, showed a reduction of the hippocampus, reduced activation of ACH networks and reduction of learning. The placebo groups had an increase of activation in the hippocampus and increase in ACH activity and an increase in the ability to solve the maze.
Antonova concluded that ACH plays a key role in the encoding of spatial memory and learning. This shows the ACH is an agonist as when the receptor sites aren’t blocked by scopolamine, ACH can be part of the process which causes excitation to be stronger and spatial memory encoding to increase . In addition when scopolamine was injected into participants spatial memory encoding decreased as it inhibited ACH from activating receptor sites. ACH is an endogenous agonist as it is produced within the body while scopolamine needs to be injected into the body showing that it is exogenous.
Explain the role of one agonist with reference to one study
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers which carry electrochemical impulse through the synapse, passing on information. One example of a neurotransmitter is Acetylchlorine. ACH is responsible for encoding information in the brain and therefore, learning. Agonists increase the neurotransmitters effect making excitations and inhibition stronger. When a chemical is an agonist, this means it mimics the actions of a neurotransmitter itself and brings to the receptor site of the post-synaptic neurone. In addition, it should be noted that ACH is endogenous, this means developed and are produced within an organism have no external cause. Antonova at Al’s study in 2011 demonstrates the effects of an agonists on learning.
The aim of Antonova at Al’s study was to see the affects of Acetylchlorine in the encoding of memory. The method was an experiment. Participants were injected with either scopolamine or a placebo, 70–90 minutes before participating in the task. It was a double blind procedure and participants were randomly allocated. Participants were put in am FMRI and scanned while playing the ‘area task’ Their task was to navigate around an arena till they found the pole, after they knew where the pole was the screen would go black. Participants were told to rehearse and when the arena reappeared they would be in a different starting point and have to use their spatial memory to navigate to the pole. Participants were trained so they were comfortable with the joystick and understood the rules of the game. The participants brain activity was measured for six trials. The participants returned 3-4 weeks later to redo the test. The results were as follows: Researchers found that the participants that were injected with scopolamine, showed a reduction of the hippocampus, reduced activation of ACH networks and reduction of learning. The placebo groups had an increase of activation in the hippocampus and increase in ACH activity and an increase in the ability to solve the maze.
Antonova concluded that ACH plays a key role in the encoding of spatial memory and learning. ACH is an agonist that has a effect in the brain as it stimulates nerve impulses responsible for involuntary muscle movements and various bodily functions. This is because more ACH activity during the placebo caused more activity in the hippocampus and therefore, a greater ability to solve the map. Whereas in the experimental group, scopolamine blocked ACH receptors sites and resulted in poorer ability to solve the maze. This is because it binds to ACH receptors, increasing the positive charge of the post synaptic neuron, causing further electrochemical processes and networks for form. Therefore, resulting in significant increase in the activation of the hippocampus, more ACH activity and increased spatial recognition of the map.
Explain the role of one antagonist with reference to one study
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers which carry electrochemical impulse through the synapse, passing on information. One example of a neurotransmitter is Acetylchlorine which is responsible for encoding information in the hippocampus and stimulating, learning. When a chemical is an antagonist, it blocks receptors sites of the post synaptic neurone, reducing the neurotransmitters effect. Therefore, scopolamine is an antagonists for ACH as it stops the electrochemical processes involved in learning. Scopolamine is exogenous meaning it has an external cause and origin. Antonova’s study demonstrated the effect of an antagonist on learning and spatial memory.
The aim of Antonova at Al’s study was to see the affects of Acetylchlorine in the encoding of memory. The method was an experiment. Participants were injected with either scopolamine or a placebo, 70–90 minutes before participating in the task. It was a double blind procedure and participants were randomly allocated. Participants were put in am FMRI and scanned while playing the ‘area task’ Their task was to navigate around an arena till they found the pole, after they knew where the pole was the screen would go black. Participants were told to rehearse and when the arena reappeared they would be in a different starting point and have to use their spatial memory to navigate to the pole. Participants were trained so they were comfortable with the joystick and understood the rules of the game. The participants brain activity was measured for six trials. The participants returned 3-4 weeks later to redo the test. The results were as follows: Researchers found that the participants that were injected with scopolamine, showed a reduction of the hippocampus, reduced activation of ACH networks and reduction of learning. The placebo groups had an increase of activation in the hippocampus and increase in ACH activity and an increase in the ability to solve the maze.
In conclusion the study demonstrated how antagonists reduces the encoding of social memories in humans. Scopolamine is an exogenous antagonist and ACH inhibitor as it decreases the nerve impulses responsible for involuntary muscle movements and various bodily functions. This is because binds to ACH receptors and blocks them, stopping any further electrochemical processes and networks to form. Therefore, resulting in significant reduction of activation in the hippocampus, very little ACH activity and decreased spatial recognition of the map. This is shown through the decease of encoding of spatial memory and learning as the hippocampus showed less blood flow in the fMRI. The hippocampus is an ACH dominate area and the lack of activity shows that ACH was being inhibited. Whereas, ACH activity during the placebo caused more activity in the hippocampus and therefore, a greater ability to solve the map and being able to navigate through it. Therefore, showing that scopolamine acts as an antagonist by inhibiting neurotransmission on the ACH receptor sites.
Describe one study that demonstrates the role of an agonist in the study of human behaviour
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers which carry electrochemical impulse through the synapse, passing on information. One example of a neurotransmitter is Acetylchlorine. ACH is responsible for encoding information in the brain and therefore, learning. Agonists increase the neurotransmitters effect making excitations and inhibition stronger. When a chemical is an agonist, this means it mimics the actions of a neurotransmitter itself and brings to the receptor site of the post-synaptic neurone. In addition, it should be noted that ACH is endogenous, this means developed and are produced within an organism have no external cause. Antonova at Al’s study in 2011 demonstrates the effects of an agonists on learning.
The aim of Antonova at Al’s study was to see the affects of Acetylchlorine in the encoding of memory. The method was an experiment. Participants were injected with either scopolamine or a placebo, 70–90 minutes before participating in the task. It was a double blind procedure and participants were randomly allocated. Participants were put in am FMRI and scanned while playing the ‘area task’ Their task was to navigate around an arena till they found the pole, after they knew where the pole was the screen would go black. Participants were told to rehearse and when the arena reappeared they would be in a different starting point and have to use their spatial memory to navigate to the pole. Participants were trained so they were comfortable with the joystick and understood the rules of the game. The participants brain activity was measured for six trials. The participants returned 3-4 weeks later to redo the test. The results were as follows: Researchers found that the participants that were injected with scopolamine, showed a reduction of the hippocampus, reduced activation of ACH networks and reduction of learning. The placebo groups had an increase of activation in the hippocampus and increase in ACH activity and an increase in the ability to solve the maze.
Antonova concluded that ACH plays a key role in the encoding of spatial memory and learning. ACH is an agonist that has a effect in the brain as it stimulates nerve impulses responsible for involuntary muscle movements and various bodily functions. This is because more ACH activity during the placebo caused more activity in the hippocampus and therefore, a greater ability to solve the map. Whereas in the experimental group, scopolamine blocked ACH receptors sites and resulted in poorer ability to solve the maze. This is because it binds to ACH receptors, increasing the positive charge of the post synaptic neuron, causing further electrochemical processes and networks for form. Therefore, resulting in significant increase in the activation of the hippocampus, more ACH activity and increased spatial recognition of the map.
Describe one study that demonstrates the role of an antagonist in the study of human behaviour
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers which carry electrochemical impulse through the synapse, passing on information. One example of a neurotransmitter is Acetylchlorine which is responsible for encoding information in the hippocampus and stimulating, learning. When a chemical is an antagonist, it blocks receptors sites of the post synaptic neurone, reducing the neurotransmitters effect. Therefore, scopolamine is an antagonists for ACH as it stops the electrochemical processes involved in learning. Scopolamine is exogenous meaning it has an external cause and origin. Antonova’s study demonstrated the effect of an antagonist on learning and spatial memory.
The aim of Antonova at Al’s study was to see the affects of Acetylchlorine in the encoding of memory. The method was an experiment. Participants were injected with either scopolamine or a placebo, 70–90 minutes before participating in the task. It was a double blind procedure and participants were randomly allocated. Participants were put in am FMRI and scanned while playing the ‘area task’ Their task was to navigate around an arena till they found the pole, after they knew where the pole was the screen would go black. Participants were told to rehearse and when the arena reappeared they would be in a different starting point and have to use their spatial memory to navigate to the pole. Participants were trained so they were comfortable with the joystick and understood the rules of the game. The participants brain activity was measured for six trials. The participants returned 3-4 weeks later to redo the test. The results were as follows: Researchers found that the participants that were injected with scopolamine, showed a reduction of the hippocampus, reduced activation of ACH networks and reduction of learning. The placebo groups had an increase of activation in the hippocampus and increase in ACH activity and an increase in the ability to solve the maze.
In conclusion the study demonstrated how antagonists reduces the encoding of social memories in humans. Scopolamine is an exogenous antagonist and ACH inhibitor as it decreases the nerve impulses responsible for involuntary muscle movements and various bodily functions. This is because binds to ACH receptors and blocks them, stopping any further electrochemical processes and networks to form. Therefore, resulting in significant reduction of activation in the hippocampus, very little ACH activity and decreased spatial recognition of the map. This is shown through the decease of encoding of spatial memory and learning as the hippocampus showed less blood flow in the fMRI. The hippocampus is an ACH dominate area and the lack of activity shows that ACH was being inhibited. Whereas, ACH activity during the placebo caused more activity in the hippocampus and therefore, a greater ability to solve the map and being able to navigate through it. Therefore, showing that scopolamine acts as an antagonist by inhibiting neurotransmission on the ACH receptor sites.
Explain the role of one excitatory or inhibitory neurotransmitter with reference to one study
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers which carry electrical impulse through the synapse, passing on information. One example of an excitatory neurotransmitter is Acetylchlorine. Excitatory neurotransmitters allow the impulse to cross the synapse and produces stimulating effects on the brain. Excitatory neurotransmitters increase the likelihood of a neuron firing by depolarizing the neuron. ACH is responsible for encoding information in the brain and therefore, learning. Ant onova at Al’s study in 2011 demonstrates that ACH is responsible for the encoding of spatial memory in the brain.
The aim of Ant onova at Al’s study was to see the affects of Acetylchlorine in the encoding of memory. The method was an experiment.Participants were injected with either scopolamine or a placebo, 70–90 minutes before participating in the task. It was a double blind procedure and participants were randomly allocated. Participants were put in am FMRI and scanned while playing the ‘area task’ Their task was to navigate around an arena till they found the pole, after they knew where the pole was the screen would go black. Participants were told to rehearse and when the arena reappeared they would be in a different starting point and have to use their spatial memory to navigate to the pole. Participants were trained so they were comfortable with the joystick and understood the rules of the game. The participants brain activity was measured for six trials. The participants returned 3-4 weeks later to redo the test. The results were as follows:Researchers found that the participants that were injected with scopolamine, showed a reduction of the hippocampus, reduced activation of ACH networks and reduction of learning. The placebo groups had an increase of activation in the hippocampus and increase in ACH activity and an increase in the ability to solve the maze.
In conclusion, the study demonstrates that ACH plays a key role in the encoding of spatial memory and learning. The study shows that ACH is an excitatory neurotransmitter as when scopolamine (an antagonist + ACH inhibitor) was injected, it binds to the ACH receptor sites, blocking the neurotransmitter for binding. This reduced ACH’s effect and stopped the electrochemical processes from happening. This meant that participants were unable to form new memories and didn’t form new neural networks in the hippocampus and so they did not show learning in the study - showing that ACH does play a role in memory encoding. However, when they were injected with the placebo, the participants got better at solving the maze as receptor sites were not blocked and ACH initiate action potential and form neural networks for spatial memory.
Describe one study that demonstrates the role of an excitatory or inhibitory neurotransmitter in the study of human behaviour
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers which carry electrical impulse through the synapse, passing on information. One example of an excitatory neurotransmitter is Acetylchlorine. Excitatory neurotransmitters allow the impulse to cross the synapse and produces stimulating effects on the brain. Excitatory neurotransmitters increase the likelihood of a neuron firing by depolarizing the neuron. ACH is responsible for encoding information in the brain and therefore, learning. Ant onova at Al’s study in 2011 demonstrates that ACH is responsible for the encoding of spatial memory in the brain.
The aim of Ant onova at Al’s study was to see the affects of Acetylchlorine in the encoding of memory. The method was an experiment.Participants were injected with either scopolamine or a placebo, 70–90 minutes before participating in the task. It was a double blind procedure and participants were randomly allocated. Participants were put in am FMRI and scanned while playing the ‘area task’ Their task was to navigate around an arena till they found the pole, after they knew where the pole was the screen would go black. Participants were told to rehearse and when the arena reappeared they would be in a different starting point and have to use their spatial memory to navigate to the pole. Participants were trained so they were comfortable with the joystick and understood the rules of the game. The participants brain activity was measured for six trials. The participants returned 3-4 weeks later to redo the test. The results were as follows:Researchers found that the participants that were injected with scopolamine, showed a reduction of the hippocampus, reduced activation of ACH networks and reduction of learning. The placebo groups had an increase of activation in the hippocampus and increase in ACH activity and an increase in the ability to solve the maze.
In conclusion, the study demonstrates that ACH plays a key role in the encoding of spatial memory and learning. The study shows that ACH is an excitatory neurotransmitter as when scopolamine (an antagonist + ACH inhibitor) was injected, it binds to the ACH receptor sites, blocking the neurotransmitter for binding. This reduced ACH’s effect and stopped the electrochemical processes from happening. This meant that participants were unable to form new memories and didn’t form new neural networks in the hippocampus and so they did not show learning in the study - showing that ACH does play a role in memory encoding. However, when they were injected with the placebo, the participants got better at solving the maze as receptor sites were not blocked and ACH initiate action potential and form neural networks for spatial memory.
Outline Draganski’s study
Draganski’s aim was to investigate whether structural changes in the brain would occur in response to practicing juggling, an MRI was used. It was a mixed design experiment. The sample were made up of volunteers who were divided i top two groups: jugglers and non-jugglers (IV). Jugglers spent three months learning a juggling routine followed by three months in which they stoped practicing. Participants in the control group never did juggling. Three MRI’s were preformed in both groups: one before the experiment, one at three months, and at six months. The results were that there was no difference in the brain structure between jugglers and non-jugglers before the experiment. After three months of practice, the jugglers had significantly more grey matter in the mid-temporal area of the cortex in both hemispheres. These areas are known to be responsibly for coordination of movement. After six months, the differences decreased, however, the jugglers still has more grey matter in the area’s from the first MRI.
Outline Antonova’s study
The aim of Antonova at Al’s study was to see the affects of Acetylchlorine in the encoding of memory. The method was an experiment. Participants were injected with either scopolamine or a placebo, 70–90 minutes before participating in the task. It was a double blind procedure and participants were randomly allocated. Participants were put in an FMRI and scanned while playing the ‘arena task’. Their task was to navigate around an arena till they found the pole, after they knew where the pole was the screen would go black. Participants were told to rehearse and when the arena reappeared they would be in a different starting point and have to use their spatial memory to navigate to the pole. Participants were trained so they were comfortable with the joystick and understood the rules of the game. The participants brain activity was measured for six trials. The participants returned 3-4 weeks later to redo the test. The results were as follows: Researchers found that the participants that were injected with scopolamine, showed a reduction of the hippocampus, reduced activation of ACH networks and reduction of learning. The placebo groups had an increase of activation in the hippocampus and increase in ACH activity and an increase in the ability to solve the maze.
