biopsychology- ways of analyzing the brain

Question 1

what are four ways of analysing the brain?

Answer 1

FMRI, EEG, ERG, POST-MORTEM

Question 2

what does fmri do ?

Answer 2

the brain cell requires blood and oxygen to function so fmri looks at the blood flow in the brain and tracks oxygenated blood when you do an activity. areas that are more active require more oxygen therefore more oxygenated blood.

Question 3

advantages of fmri?

Answer 3

good spatial res. of 1-2mm
non-invasive

Question 4

disadvantages of fmri?

Answer 4

poor temporal res. delay of 1-4 seconds
expensive
uncomftorbale as in enclosed space for long periods of time

Question 5

what does an EEG scan do ?

Answer 5

• measure electrical activity
• via electrodes
• that are foxed to a persons scalp using a skull cap
• the scan recording represents the brain wave patterns that are generated by millions of neurons in the brain

Question 6

advantages of EEG?

Answer 6

high temporal res. generates readings every millisecond
non-invasive

Question 7

disadvantages of EEG?

Answer 7

poor spatial res. only detect activity in superficial regions of the brain only shows brain waves
hard to pinpoint activity

Question 8

what does an ERP scan do ?

Answer 8

Isolates brain responses.

filters extraneous brain activity to assess brain activity that is a result of certain stimuli or events

this leaves evented related potentials (types of brainwaves that are triggered by particular events)

Question 9

what is a post mortem on the brain?

Answer 9

examinanton on the brain after death to discover abnormalities in the brain

Question 10

strengths of post mortems ?

Answer 10

good spatial res. can cut brain into small pieces and examine
increase medical knowledge

Question 11

limitations of post mortems ?

Answer 11

causation- observed deficits may be linked to decay rather than issue being studied
is it ethical?
invasive