L5: Research Methods in Behavioral Neuroscience Flashcards
What is the goal of behavioral neuroscience research?
to understand the neural determinants of a specific behavior
A scientific strategy to break a system down into increasingly smaller parts to understand it
EX: brain –> structure –> NT –> receptor –> 2nd messenger
Reductionist approach
turning point of operant self-administration;
“_____” maintain addictions
turning point of operant self-administration = extinction
“ques” maintain addictions
When observing or manipulating the brain following/during a behavior, there are many different “________” that allow us to see what is happening in the brain to cause ________
When observing or manipulating the brain following/during a behavior, there are many different “endpoints” that allow us to see what is happening in the brain to cause relapse
“solid arrangement” surgery that immobilizes the head and allows us to know the location of the brain w/ an atlas
stereotaxic surgery/apparatus
way to navigate through the brain areas located by their “coordinates”; 2 landmarks it relies on?
stereotaxic atlas; lamba & bregma
region of stereotaxic atlas that everything is marked laterally and relative to
Bregma
region of the stereotaxic atlas where 3 lines meet
Lambda
Endpoint #3?
and what are the 2 tests?
Genetic Methods–> Protein Expression
Immunohistochemistry & Western Blots
Endpoint #3: Genetic Method of protein expression that refers to the process of detecting antigens (e.g. proteins) in cells of a tissue section by exploiting the principle of antibodies binding specifically to antigens in biological tissues.
Immunohistochemistry
Endpoint #3: Genetic method of protein expression that refers to the less specific method which utilizes gel electrophoesis on an entire slice
- Different from other method bc?
- What signifies increased proteins?
- Preferred method if..?
Western Blotting
Differs bc do NOT need a specific antibody
Larger, Darker band signifies increased proteins
Preferred method if have an idea of protein
Endpoint #3: Genetic Methods that utilizes mRNA (2)
In situ hybridization
qPCR
A method for detecting particular RNA transcripts in tissue sections by providing a nucleotide probe that is complementary to, and will therefore hybridize with the transcript of interest to identify neurons
In situ hybridization
method for detecting particular RNA transcripts in tissue by monitoring the amplification of DNA with a polymerase chain reaction in a test tube in real time
qPCR
2 methods used by targeted mutations/expressions to manipulate behavior
- Knockout animals
- Knocking out all areas of brain
- Viral over/Under Expression
- Increase/decrease by stereotaxic surgery in specific brain region being studied
type of endpoint protein expression typically used in mice where you eliminate 1 gene from the genotype & look for phenotypic differences
knock-out animals
type of endpoint protein expression where viruses enter the host cell & insert their genome (sometimes permanently); can take advatage of this property & insert a target gene into the viral DNA so target gene is overexpressed instead of “sickness” gene
viral vector mediated over-expression
KNOW!
virus that takes genes out and puts genes in?
What makes virus replication inefficient?
Adenovirus
Spread and infection of all cells
technique used to stop RNA from creating proteins
Gene Silencing Techniques
Identify the type of study:
Viral Over-Expression Study
Example of which endpoint?
Component of?
Attempting to?
Example of Patch Clamp; component of Brain Slicing of endpoint #4- electrical properties of neurons w/ Microelectrodes; attempting to change voltage
