Brain Scanning

Question 1

Describe fMRI

Answer 1

1. Detects changes in blood oxygenation due to neural activity (haemodynamic response)
2. 3D imagine of what’s parts are active so useful in localisation

Question 2

Strength and weakness of fMRI

Answer 2

Spatial resolution to nearest mm

Also poor temporal resolution and cannot focus on induvidal nerurones

Question 3

Electroencephalogram

Answer 3

1. Measure electrical activity via electrodes on skull cap

2. Good for clinical diagnosis and sleep wake cycle

Question 4

Strength and weakness of EEG

Answer 4

1. Diagnosis of epilepsy and understating of sleep/wake
2. ## Very high temporal resolution (millisecond)
3. cannot pinpoint exact source of neural activity so not good for localisation

Question 5

Event related potentials

Answer 5

1. Using a statistical avenging technique, all extraneous neural activity is filters out of EEG
2. Allows for activity of specific task to be isolated

Question 6

Strength and weakness of ERP

Answer 6

1. Addresses limitations of EEG so useful in the way fMRI is but with much better temporal resolution
2. ## So can not study cognitive functions such as working memory
3. Lack of standardisation makes it hard to confirm findings

Question 7

Post-mortem

Answer 7

1. Analysis of brains with rare disorders following death

2. Damaged areas likely to be the cause of disorder

Question 8

Strength/weakness of post mortem

Answer 8

1. ## Vital in early understanding of function such as Broca’s area
2. Cannot assume causation: damage may be unrelated to disorder