Advanced research methods and techniques Flashcards
what brain areas are used for the digit span test
temporal, hippocampus, limbic system and frontal lobe
what cognitive processes does the digit span measure
learning, STM, working memory
what happens in a digit span test
verbal task, stimuli presented auditory and responses are spoken
7 + or - 2 is standard for a adult
what is a poor digit span score associated with
ADHD, Alzheimers, learning disabilities
what brain areas are used for the stroop test
frontal lobe
what cognitive processes does the stroop test measure
focussed attention, response inhibition, data processing speed, reaction time
what is poor stroop test performance linked to
dementia, adhd, schizophrena
what is involved in the open field test
it assesses locomotion, exploratory behaviour, and anxiety-like responses
Useful to map symptoms related to Parkinson’s disease, depression, and anxiety
Immediate animal response is to go to the walls of the field. Less anxious= walk towards the center of the open field. Useful for studying new anxiety drugs
what is involved in resistant intruder programme
employed in studies evaluating social behavior, territorial aggression and hierarchical dominance
It facilitates interpretation of drug effects on aggression and behavioural responses following stress induction.
Rodent left in the cage for certain amount of time then another rat moved in.
Interested in reaction time of resistance for intruder
Useful to study aggressive behaviour and drugs that may decrease aggression in humans
what is involved in the force-swim test
assesses learned helplessness, depression- like behaviour in rodens
how long a rodent will swim in a tank of water
assess effectiveness of anti-depressants and neurobiology of stress
time for rodent to stop swimming is measured
what is translational research
The process of applying ideas, insights, and discoveries generated through basic scientific inquiry to the treatment or prevention of human disease
what is EEG used for
Used to measure electroactivity in the brain- Captures electrical info
Can measure changes in action potential
can measure different brain waves
when would a design require EEG
useful when you have a design that requires temporal sensitivity
very high temporal resolution, meaning it can accurately measure brain activity changes with excellent precision on a millisecond timescale; making it ideal for studying rapid neural events and responses to stimuli.
negative of EEG
Negative: not good to see a specific brain area
what is temporal resolution
how frequently data is collected or how often an image or measurement is captured over time
higher temporal resolution= more often can track changes
what is ERP used for
use electrodes that are attached to the scalp, as with EEG. However, the key difference is that a stimulus is presented to a participant (for example a picture/sound) and the researcher looks for activity related to that stimulus.
high temporal resolution
poor spatial resolution
is. EEG invasive
can be invasive and non invasive
e.g. can be electrodes or placed into brain
when would you use ERP
Useful to use in visual memory working tasks- as we have to combine multiple different stimuli
is ERP invasive
no
what is MEG used for
Used to measure changes magnetic fields- magnetic change reflects neuron electrical activity brain area
Similar methodology to ERPs
Temporal resolution: excellent- better than EEG
Spatial resolution: not as good as fMRI, but not as poor as ERPs and EEG
is MEG invasive
no
when would a study used MEG
Can use in research designs with various stimuli
what is SMRI
The tube they are put in creates a huge magnetic field
This changes the pattern of hydrogen atoms (hydrogen movement in brain)
Can also see Cerebral spinal fluid
brilliant spatial resolution
when would a study use SMRI
Interested in anatomy of brain
Good technique to look at brain development and the ageing of the brain
map neuropsychological disorders and identify when someone has brain damage/injury
is SMRI invasive
no
what is spatial resolution
detail or clarity in a image
higher spatial reoslution- the more detailed the image is
how clear details od Brian, white matter, tissue is
what is DTI
DTI looks into the white matter integrity of SNC
how white matter is integrated to another part of the brain
high spatial resolution
measures movement of water molecules in white matter
when would DTI be used
helps identify neurological abnormalities in psychological disorders
is DTI invasive
no
t uses radio waves and a magnetic field to create images of the brain, tissues, and sku
what is FMRI
Very refined technique as we can measure blood oxygen level changes in the brain
If activated- brain area supposed to consume more oxygen - this is captured through Fmri
measures the blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) response from brain regions.
Those more active will generate stronger BOLD signals
high spatial resolution poor temporal resolution
is FMRI invasive
no
what is a negative to FMRI
sensitive to movement
what is PET
Tracking metabolic activity by detecting where radioactive tracer is used in the body
measures regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) after injecting radioactive substances (e.g., glucose).
Radiations can be detected using brain scanners.
More active region will need more supply hence will release more radiations.
high spatial resoltion
why would PET be used
help doctors diagnose and treat conditions affecting the brain, such as Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, and stroke, cancer .
Changes in metabolic activity- problem= organ is consuming more glucose than usual
is a PET invasive?
yes- injecting a tracer
