Ways Of Studying The Brain

Question 1

Post-mortem Examinations

Answer 1

Longitudinal assessments in their life
Consent gained upon their death to study their brain
Allows to see cellular structure
To see if there’s a correlation between problem and brain damage

Question 2

FMRI - functional magnetic resonance imaging

Answer 2

Measures changes in blood flow (NOT ELECTRICAL BRAIN ACTIVITY) using radio waves and a magnetic field while a person performs tasks. Produces 3D images with colour showing level of blood flow in those areas - higher blood flow = more activity

Question 3

EEG - Electroencephalogram

Answer 3

Passive brain scan technique
Records electrical activity of the brain using electrodes that are placed on the scalp (skullcap)
detect small electrical charges resulting from the activity of brain cells.
Commonly used for studying brain states like sleep
Sensors cannot tell exactly where the brain activity happens
Brainwave readout - no image

Question 4

ERPS - Event Related Potentials

Answer 4

A type of EEG
Baseline measure of passive brain activity (no task)
active brain activity measure (task)
Compared activity readout
Any similarities between brainwaves are removed
Left with the task brain activity only

Question 5

EVALUATION - Post Mortems

Answer 5

Spatial Resolution - High - can see brain on cellular level
Temporal Resolution - Low - person is dead
Practical - No - extensive
Functionality - No - task can not be completed as dead

Question 6

EVALUATION - fMRI

Answer 6

Spatial Resolution - High - depict detail by the millimetre
Temporal Resolution - Low - 5 second time lag behind image on screen
Practical - No
Functionality - Yes - they can do activities

Question 7

EVALUATION - EEG

Answer 7

Spatial Resolution - Low - not useful for pinpointing exact source
Temporal Resolution - High - detects brain activity at a resolution of a millisecond
Practical - Yes - inexpensive and easy to do
Functionality - Low - less functional than ERP

Question 8

EVALUATION - ERPS

Answer 8

Spatial Resolution - Low - can not go deep into structure, only cortex
Temporal Resolution - High - similar to EEG
Practical - Yes - inexpensive and easy to do
Functionality - Yes - can pinpoint specific areas of the cortex