functioning of the brain and aggression: neurotransmitters (pack 3)

Question 1

how is serotonin related to aggression

Answer 1

low levels associated with increased tendency towards impulsive and reactive aggressive behaviour

Question 2

how are serotonin levels and the PFC linked?

Answer 2

low levels of S in PFC part of the serotonin pathway results in it no longer inhibiting fight/flight response of the amygdala
so
more impulsive etc.

Question 3

evidence of the role of serotonin in aggression from clinical drug studies?

Answer 3

use of drugs that raise serotonin levels such as anti-depressants and this reduces aggression

Question 4

evidence of the role of serotonin from lab experiments with rodents
(begins with F)

Answer 4

Ferrari
studied link between NT and aggression in rats
allowed them to fight everyday for 10days and introduced an intruder rat
on the 11th day not intruder rat
measured serotonin levels of rats were high…brain chemistry adapted

Question 5

what do PET scans detect?

Answer 5

activity in the brain when performing specific tasks

Question 6

how do PET scans work?

Answer 6

radioactive tracer is injected into the patient, it binds to glucose in the blood stream, as the glucose moves around the body,

it takes the radioactive material with it
as the brain uses glucose for energy,

the areas of the brain most active absorbs it but tracer remains and it emits positrons which are picked up by scanner

Question 7

what do the PET scans produce?

Answer 7

coloured images of the level of activity occurring throughout the brain

Question 8

what is 1 advantage of PET scans

Answer 8

reliable and valid technique for measuring activity of the brain and detects blood flow , oxygen use and metabolism in the brain

Question 9

what are 3 disadvantages of PET scans

Answer 9

resolution lower than fMRI, therefore less precise and valid

interpretations of the images could be biased

participants are exposed to radiation