Chapter 3: Research methods

Question 1

What’re the different research method groups and 2 kinds of each?

Answer 1

1. Methods reflecting direct neuronal activity
EEG
MEG
2. Topographic methods
PET
SPECT
3. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods
MRI
FMRI

Question 2

What is radio frequency lesion (lesion in animals)?

Answer 2

Alternating current of a very high frequency capable of destroying neural tissue

Question 3

What is excitotoxic lesion (lesion in animals)?

Answer 3

Produced by intracerebral injection of an excitatory amino acid

Question 4

What is sham lesion (lesion in animals)?

Answer 4

Placebo procedure that duplicates all the steps of producing brain lesion except the one that actually causes brain damage

Question 5

What is bregma (experimental ablation)?

Answer 5

• Junction of sagittal and coronal sutures of skull

- Reference point for stereotaxic brain surgery

Question 6

What is stereotaxic surgery (experimental ablation)?

Answer 6

Brain surgery using stereotaxic apparatus to position electrode or cannula in a specified position to brain

Question 7

What is the stereotaxic atlas?

Answer 7

A collection of drawings of sections of the brain of particular animal with measurements that provide coordinates for stereotaxic surgery

Question 8

What is retrograde tracing?

Answer 8

To trace neural connections from terminal buttons to cell bodies

Question 9

What is a microelectrode and what is it used for?

Answer 9

• Fine electrode

- Record electrical activity of individual neurons

Question 10

What is microdialysis used for?

Answer 10

• Analyzing chemicals in interstitial fluid

- Used to measure amount of dopamine in particular regions of the brain

Question 11

What do PET scans reveal?

Answer 11

Localization of a radioactive tracer in the living brain (gamma rays)

Question 12

What happens during stage 3 and stage 4 of sleep?

Answer 12

More delta waves progressively

Question 13

What happens during REM sleep?

Answer 13

Low-voltage, high-frequency waves

Question 14

What does the FMRI do and what is an advantage?

Answer 14

• Record metabolic activity of regions of brain

- Higher resolution than PET scans

Question 15

What does the EEG do and what are the advantages and disadvantages?

Answer 15

• Electrical brain potential recorded by placing electrodes on scalp
• Inexpensive
• Excellent temporal resolution
• Don’t get signal from deep subcortical structures
• Low spatial resolution