Ways Of Studying The Brain Flashcards
(36 cards)
What is Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)?
A method used to measure brain activity while a person is performing a task. It detects radio waves from changing magnetic fields, enabling researchers to detect which regions of the brain are rich in oxygen and therefore active.
What is an Electroencephalogram (EEG)?
A record of tiny electrical impulses produced by the brain’s activity. By measuring characteristic wave patterns, the EEG can help diagnose certain conditions of the brain.
What are Event-related potentials (ERPs)?
The electrophysiological response of the brain to a specific sensory, cognitive, or motor event can be isolated through statistical analysis of EEG.
What are Post-mortem examinations?
The brain is analysed after death to determine whether certain observed behaviours during the person’s lifetime can be linked to structural abnormalities in the brain.
What is Temporal resolution?
The accuracy of the scanner in relation to time, i.e., how quickly the scanner can detect changes in brain activity.
What is Spatial resolution?
The smallest feature (or measurement) that a scanner can detect.
What is post mortem dissection?
Post mortem dissection involves precisely cutting brains after treatment to give a firmer texture.
What types of brains are dissected during post mortem?
Unusual brains, such as those that suffered trauma or from individuals with mental illness, are dissected.
What is compared during post mortem dissection?
Unusual brains are compared with neurotypical (healthy) brains.
Who was Tan in the context of post mortem evaluations?
Tan was a patient who could only say ‘Tan’ due to expressive aphasia; his brain was studied post mortem.
What area of the brain was found damaged after Tan’s death?
Damage was found in an area of the frontal lobe.
What is a key advantage of post mortem evaluations?
Post mortem evaluations allow the study of microscopic brain structures down to the neuronal level.
What is a limitation of post mortem studies?
Post mortem studies are correlational as they are not conducted on the living brain.
What can be generated from post mortem findings?
Theories can be generated that can be tested with other experimental techniques.
What does FMRI stand for?
FMRI stands for functional magnetic resonance imaging.
What does MRI detect in the brain?
MRI detects blood flow in the brain.
How does FMRI identify active brain areas?
FMRI identifies active brain areas by comparing them to low activation areas based on blood supply.
What is the spatial resolution of FMRI?
FMRI has a good spatial resolution of approximately 1mm.
What is a limitation of FMRI’s temporal resolution?
FMRI has poor temporal resolution as one image is taken every few seconds.
Why is FMRI considered a non-invasive technique?
FMRI is a non-invasive and safe technique compared to options that use radiation like PET scanners.
What is a challenge when using FMRI in experiments?
Participants need to be still, making experiments with body movement impossible.
What is a drawback of FMRI machines?
FMRI machines are expensive to build and operate.
What is an EEG?
EEG (Electroencephalogram) is a device that collects data from 22-34 electrodes attached to a cap fitted to the scalp with conductive gel.
What does the readout from each EEG electrode represent?
The readout is the sum total of activation of the brain cortex under the electrode.
