Ways Of Studying The Brain- Postmortem Exams AO3

Question 1

✅ What is a key advantage of post-mortem studies over scanning techniques?

Answer 1

They allow for detailed analysis of deep brain structures like the hypothalamus, which are difficult to examine using non-invasive techniques. This enables more comprehensive understanding of brain anatomy and pathology.

Question 2

✅ Why are post-mortem studies considered foundational in neuroscience?

Answer 2

Post-mortem studies were crucial in early brain research. For example, Broca and Wernicke used them to link specific brain areas to language, showing how they have significantly advanced medical knowledge and inspired further hypotheses.

Question 3

❌ Why is the lack of brain activity in post-mortem studies a limitation?

Answer 3

Since the individual is deceased, no live brain function can be assessed. This makes it impossible to observe cognitive processes in action, limiting the scope of functional understanding.

Question 4

❌ What is a problem with assessing a person’s functioning before death in post-mortem studies?

Answer 4

There may be limited or no data on how the person behaved or functioned before death, making it hard to link structural brain findings to specific behaviours or deficits reliably.