Lecture 2/3 methods in modern neuroscience

Question 1

Main methods x 5

Answer 1

Psychophysical methods and illusions

Lesions and other ways to silence neurons or parts of the brain

Anatomical studies and morphology (to study connections between neurons)

fMRI, electrophysiological recordings and imaging

Modeling and theoretical simulations

Question 2

Model organisms x 4

Answer 2

Humans
Primates
Lower mammals (cats, rodents)
Lower vertebrates (zebrafish)
Invertebrates (Drosophila)

Question 3

Questions

Which part of the brain is involved in a particular processing?

Answer 3

Lesions
Whole brain imaging techniques
Multi-electrode recordings in different brain areas

Question 4

Lesions

Answer 4

Directed (animal models)

After strokes and other neurodegenerative diseases

Question 5

Lesion example

Answer 5

Patient LM who following a stroke had difficulty
perceiving certain forms of motion
Akinetopsia
Object/colou rperceptio fine

Question 6

fMRi

Answer 6

fMRI is a good way to study brain areas involved in visual processing
looks at blood/glucose levels

Question 7

Modern morphological studies after Cajal and Golgi

Answer 7

enhancer traps

Question 8

Explain enhancer traps

Answer 8

GFP expressed under control of certain promotor
it is a mobile DNA P element
it carries reporter gene and marker and bacterial elements for cloning

Question 9

Sharp electrodes

Answer 9

Allow combo of morp/electrphys
v thin tip electrode
electrode filled with 3M KCl
Inject current into cell record change in vm
Ground electrode 0mV elsewhere on body

Question 10

Uses of sharp electrodes

Answer 10

Photoreceptors

bright pulse leads to strong depolarisation

Question 11

Photoreceptors in human

Answer 11

Hyperpolarise due to decreased conductance

Question 12

Photoreceptors in invertebrate

Answer 12

Depolarise due to increased conductance