cognitive neuroscience 1

Question 1

what was descartes idea of dualism?

Answer 1

mind and body are different, separate entities

Question 2

what is phrenology?

Answer 2

mental abilities are processed by completely separate brain areas

Question 3

who are the two who discovered areas for language in the brain

Answer 3

broca & wernicke

Question 4

what did pavlov’s ideas develop

Answer 4

he studied the behavior of dogs and developed a theory of classical conditioning, which explains how people associate two stimuli in their minds and react to one of them as though it was the other.

Question 5

what is the absolute threshold?

Answer 5

smallest stimulus energy that can be perceived

Question 6

what is the just noticeable difference? (JND)

Answer 6

smallest change in stimulus energy that can be perceived

Question 7

what is weber’s law

Answer 7

the change in stimulus intensity that can just be noticed is a constant fraction of the stimulus intensity. applies to many stimuli & modalities (light brightness, sound intensity etc.)

Question 8

what is transcranial magnetic stimulation?

Answer 8

involves the rapidly changing magnetic field to superficial layers of the cerebral cortex -> locally induces small electric currents (aka Eddy or Foucault currents). v high temporal resolution + high spatial resolution

Question 9

what is the advantage of TMS over electroconductive therapy (ECT)

Answer 9

TMS is focused and bypasses the impedance of skull and superficial tissues. so it needs lesser stimulus strength and need for a true seizure or any form of anesthesia is completely obviated.

Question 10

what are the two different protocols for tms

Answer 10

single pulse (usually on-line)
repetitive stimulation (rTMS)

Question 11

how do rTMS protocols usually work?

Answer 11

theta bursts (varied and prolonged effects depending on the stimulation sequence)
<1 Hz decreases activity in an area
>1Hz increases activity in an area

Question 12

what are the two methods of tms?

Answer 12

motor evoked potentials & temporary lesions

Question 13

how does motor evoked potentials work

Answer 13

direct stimulation - pathway; thresholds in diseases
“priming” - anticipation of movement increases TMS effect

Question 14

how do short term temporary lesions work

Answer 14

single pulse disrupts 1-2cm2 region for up to 50mins

Question 15

how do medium term temporary lesions work

Answer 15

repetitive stimulation, e.g. 5Hz for 10 sec, has longer lasting & wider ranging effects

Question 16

how do offline TMS temporary lesions work

Answer 16

intense stimuli which impair function for 45 min and done before the participent does the cognitive task