Lecture 1 - Behavioural Neuroscience & Neuroscience Techniques Flashcards
focus of Behavioural Neuroscience fundamental assumptions aim of Behavioural Neuroscience MRI (structural & functional) EEG TMS Animal Models
What is neuroscience
Study of the nervous system
studies stuff from:
structure to function
development to degeneration
health to disease
What is Behavioural Neuroscience
Investigate the neural mechanisms underlying behaviour and psychological processes
[examines neural basis of capacities such as thinking and perception, memory, learning, emotion, and motivation]
What is a brief timeline of neuroscience
1700BC: mid-brain problem (monism & dualism)
17th Century: Descartes suggested pineal gland was the contact point w/ mind & body
18th Century: localisationism hypothesises (diff brain functions localised to diff physical regions of brain)
19th Century: Helmholtz showed nerves operate via electricity
What are the 3 fundamental assumptions of Behavioural Neuroscience
1 Biological mechanisms & processes underpin all behaviour
2 Full understanding of human behaviour cant be achieved w/out understanding its biological basis
3 Animal research grants essential contributions to understanding
What are the four different Neuroscience Technqiues
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Electroencephalography (EEG)
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
Animal Models
How does structural MRI works
in a normal amount of detail
Hydrogen atoms are attracted by magnetic fields, the hydrogen comes from water, (60% of body)
H’s align in direction of magnet, when machine turns off, they realign to original position
A radio position then emitted
forms images of the brain
Structural MRIs view only a specific plane of the brain
How does structural MRI work
in a stupid amount of detail
Big magnet is used to produce unified magnetic field around patient
Gradient adjusts B-field into smaller sections of diff strengths to isolate specific body parts (eg brain)
B-field causes water molecules to osscilate at same frequency as B-field, only low energy water molecules (lewm) dont oscillate together with the B-field
to create image of brain, machine focuses on low energy water molecules
radio waves oscillate at the same frequency as the B-fields, resonance allows lewm to move with B-field
when machine stops emitting R waves the lewm release energy they absorbed and go back to og position
movement detected by MRI machine and signal is sent to powerful computer which uses imaging software to translate info into image
images taken in each section, final 3D image produced
When to use structural MRI
investigate brain structure
size of cortical matter
size of specific parts of brain
differences in brain structure/cortical matter between people/groups
used to investigate cortical matter between people with differences in behaviour, depression, injury, etc
identifies tumours, legions
Structural MRI Advantages
Non-invasive
Little health risk
Good spatial resolution (mm range)
Structural MRI disadvantages
noisy, cramped space
very expensive machine
only structural info
What is fMRI
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging measures functional activity of the brain
participants perfom mental tasks and brain area of action can be detected
How does fMRI work
Yeah man i love sicence yeah man
When to use fMRI
Investigate which brain areas are active under certain conditions
Investigate differences in brain activity between different groups of people
Investigate changes in brain activity pre and post interventions
Whats an example of fMRI
investigate hippocampus activity in people with MDD (major depressive disorder)
What about the study
Results: Controls showed increased activity in the right hippocampal area compared to MDD during memory recollection
