Experimental Neuropsychology Flashcards
(20 cards)
What is the goal of experimental neuropsychology?
To understand how specific brain structures contribute to psychological functions by using experimental methods like lesion studies, animal models, and neuroimaging.
What did Korbinian Brodmann contribute to neuropsychology?
He used cytoarchitectonic staining to map structurally distinct regions of the cortex, forming the basis for modern brain atlases.
Why are lesion studies important in neuropsychology?
They provide causal evidence—if a function is impaired after damage to a region, that region likely contributes to the function.
What are the limitations of naturally occurring lesion studies?
• Lesions are rarely focal
• Behavioural assessments are inconsistent
• Timing of assessment affects interpretation
• White matter tracts may also be damaged
What is stereotaxic surgery?
A method for targeting specific brain regions using 3D coordinates based on external skull landmarks (e.g., bregma).
What are the advantages of using animal models in neuropsychology?
• Precise experimental control
• Causal inference
• Access to molecular techniques
• Longitudinal and developmental designs
• Translational value for human cognition
What are the limitations of animal models?
• Cross-species differences
• Ethical concerns
• Oversimplified tasks
• Generalisation issues
• Artificial environments
What does EEG measure and what are its strengths?
EEG measures electrical activity from the scalp; it has excellent temporal resolution and is non-invasive but poor spatial resolution.
What does MRI measure and what are its strengths?
MRI provides high-resolution images of brain structure using magnetic fields; it does not measure function.
What does fMRI measure and what are its limitations?
fMRI measures blood oxygenation (BOLD signal) as an indirect marker of neural activity; it has good spatial but poor temporal resolution.
What does PET measure and what is it used for?
PET uses radioactive tracers to measure metabolic activity or neurotransmitter binding; useful for studying neurochemistry and disease pathology.
Why is combining neuroimaging methods important?
No single method captures all aspects of brain function; combining EEG, MRI, fMRI, and PET provides a more complete picture.
Why is correlation ≠ causation a problem in neuroimaging?
Just because a brain region is active during a task doesn’t mean it causes that function.
What are some limitations of neuroimaging techniques?
• Indirect measures of neural activity
• Trade-offs between spatial and temporal resolution
• Task design and statistical issues
• Overemphasis on localisation
What did the “dead salmon” study demonstrate?
That improper statistical correction in fMRI can lead to false positives—even detecting “activity” in a dead fish.
What is the modern view of brain function?
Functions are supported by distributed networks, not isolated modules; brain regions interact dynamically and flexibly.
What is Karl Lashley’s theory of mass action?
Cognitive functions depend on the amount of brain tissue damaged, not just the location—supporting a distributed view of function.
What is equipotentiality in brain function?
The idea that one part of the cortex can take over the function of another if it is damaged.
What is pleiotropy in brain function?
The same brain region can support multiple functions depending on context.
How does plasticity challenge localisation?
Brain functions can be remapped after injury, especially during critical developmental periods (e.g., blind individuals using visual cortex for Braille).
