ways of studying the brain Flashcards
(12 cards)
What does fMRI measure?
: Brain activity by detecting changes in blood oxygenation and flow due to neural activity (haemodynamic response).
What are two strengths of fMRI?
High spatial resolution – detailed 3D images of active brain areas.
Non-invasive and safe (no radiation).
What are two limitations of fMRI?
Poor temporal resolution – 5-second time lag between activity and image.
Cannot measure moment-to-moment brain activity precisely.
What does EEG measure?
Electrical activity in the brain via electrodes on the scalp, recording brainwave patterns from neurons.
What are two strengths of EEG?
Excellent temporal resolution – detects brain activity in milliseconds.
Useful in diagnosing conditions like epilepsy and sleep disorders.
Q: What are two limitations of EEG?
Poor spatial resolution – difficult to localise the exact source of activity.
Cannot distinguish between overlapping signals from different brain locations.
Q: What are ERPs?
Brainwave responses to specific stimuli/events, extracted from EEG data using statistical averaging.
What are two strengths of ERPs?
A:
Excellent temporal resolution – precise timing of responses.
Can identify specific cognitive processes (e.g., attention, working memory).
: What are two limitations of ERPs?
Lack of standardisation – difficult to confirm findings across studies.
Background noise must be carefully controlled for valid results.
What is a post-mortem examination?
Analysis of a brain after death, often of individuals with rare disorders or deficits.
: What are two strengths of post-mortems?
Vital for early brain research (e.g., Broca and Wernicke’s areas).
Can show physical brain abnormalities linked to behaviour.
What are two limitations of post-mortems?
Causation issues – damage may not be related to observed behaviours.
Retrospective – no brain activity measured when alive.
