Research

Question 1

Parts of the brain affected by drugs

Answer 1

Reward Pathway, especially the dopamine neurons of the ventral tegmental area (this area communicates with the nucleus accumbens)

Question 2

Learning and Memory: Reflexes

Answer 2

Using a sea slug found that certain stimuli resulted in more robust protective reflexes, which is a form of learning. Reflex is short-term

Question 3

Learning and Memory: -

Answer 3

Found that stronger stimuli activate genes that result in changing protein levels -> growth to synapses. Long-term forms

Question 4

Amblyopia

Answer 4

Monkeys and cats for amblyopia (vision of one eye is greatly reduced because the eyes do not work well together)

Question 5

Microdialysis

Answer 5

Measures the amount of a brain chemical found in a specified area of the brain (inject radioactive amino acid into cells)

Question 6

Electrophysiology

Answer 6

Study of electrical properties of neurons

Question 7

PET

Answer 7

Positron Emission Tomography. Measure blood flow or energy consumption in the brain. Detect radioactivity emitted when positrons, positvely charged particles, undergo radioactive decay in the brain

Question 8

PET Use

Answer 8

Understand stroke, depression, and Parkinson’s disease (change in release of neurotransmitters)

Question 9

SPECT

Answer 9

Single photon emission computed tomography - similar to PET, but pics not as detailed. Cheaper

Question 10

MRI

Answer 10

Magnetic resonance imaging. High-quality, three-dimensional image of organs and inner body structures without X-ray. 15-minute procedure.

Question 11

Diffusion tensor imaging

Answer 11

MRI procedure. Tracks fiber tracts and the connectivity between regions

Question 12

MRS

Answer 12

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Same machinery as MRI, but measures chemicals (such as neurotransmitters) in parts of the brain, not blood flow.

Question 13

MRS Use

Answer 13

Aging and brain development. Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, autism, stroke

Question 14

fMRI

Answer 14

Functional magnetic resonance imaging. Compares brain activity under rest and activitiy. Combines MRI with diff/ strategy.

Question 15

MEG

Answer 15

Magnetoencephalography. Recent, characterizes rapidly changing patterns of neural activity. Developments in combination of fMRI and MEG.

Question 16

Optical Imaging

Answer 16

Shines weak lasers through the skull to visualize brain activity. Cheap

Question 17

NIRS

Answer 17

Near infrared spectroscopy. Skull becomes transparent.

Question 18

Event-related Optical Signal

Answer 18

Records how light scatters in rapid cellular changes

Question 19

TMS

Answer 19

Transcranial magnetic stimulation. When using with fMRI, shows correlation between region and behavior.

Question 20

Chromosome Microarray

Answer 20

Newer technique used to look at the overall chromosome makeup of a person and find out if segments are missing (deletions) or in more than usual amounts (duplications)

Question 21

HTT gene condition

Answer 21

Altered in Huntington’s

Question 22

RBI gene condition

Answer 22

RBI - Causes inherited retinoblastoma (rare, highly malignant, childhood eye tumor that can lead to blindness and death)

Question 23

Walker-Warburg Syndrome

Answer 23

Problems with brain, eyes, muscles. Death in infancy or childhood. > 5 genes associated

Question 24

FMRI gene condition

Answer 24

Gene mapping found FMRI gene (abnormal in fragile X syndrome, the most common cause of inherited intellectual disability in males)

Question 25

LISI

Answer 25

Tells brain how to grow

Question 26

TSC1 and TSC2 gene mutation

Answer 26

Tuberous sclerosis complex

Question 27

MECP2 gene mutation

Answer 27

Associated with Rett syndrome