Lecture 2 - Neuroscience Techniques

Question 1

Contrast x-rays

Answer 1

Involve injecting a contrast agent into one compartment of the body, the substance absorbs x-rays either less or more than the surrounding tissue which heightens the contrast between the compartment and the surrounding area

Question 2

X-ray computed tomography

Answer 2

Computer assisted x-ray that can be used to visualise the brain/internal structures. Patient lies with their head in the centre of a cylinder, on one side is a tube that produces x-ray beams through the head to an x-ray detector on the other side. They rotate around the brain taking many photographs which are combined to generate a CT scan of one section of the brain.

Question 3

Magnetic resonance imaging

Answer 3

Images are constructed from the measurement of waves that hydrogen atoms emit when they are activated by radio frequency waves in a magnetic field

Question 4

Function MRI (fMRI)

Answer 4

Produces images representing the increase in oxygen flow in the blood to active areas of the brain. Active areas of the brain take up more oxygenated blood and thus oxygenated blood accumulates in the brain. Signal recorded is called the BOLD signal (blood oxygenated level dependent).

Question 5

Positron emission tomography (PET)

Answer 5

Make a contrast agent that is specifically targeted to the biological process we want to image. Attach a radioisotope (radiation emitting molecule) to the chemical and inject it into the subject. Detect the emitted radiation and use a computer to figure out where its coming from.

Question 6

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Answer 6

Electrodes placed on scalp record regional brain activity.

Question 7

Event-related potentials (ERPs)

Answer 7

Work the same as EEGs but in response to a stimulus.

Question 8

Transcranial magnetic stimulation

Answer 8

Technique that can turn off an area of the cortex by creating a magnetic field under a coil positioned next to part of the skull. The magnetic stimulation temporarily turns off part of the brain while the effects of disruption are assessed.

Question 9

Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

Answer 9

Measures changes in magnetic fields of the surface of the scalp that are produced by changes in underlying patterns of neural activity.

Question 10

Skin conductance

Answer 10

A measurement of the electrical conductivity of the skin (sweat).

Question 11

Eye movement

Answer 11

Based on the fact that a steady potential difference exists between the front and the back of the eyeball. Because of this potential, when the eye moves a change in the electrical potential between electrodes placed around the eye can be recorded.

Question 12

Stereotaxic surgery

Answer 12

Experimental devices positioned in the depths of the brain.

Question 13

Lesion methods

Answer 13

Part of the brain is removed/damaged/destroyed and then the behaviour of the subject is assessed to determine the functions of the lesioned structure.

Question 14

Knife cuts

Answer 14

Cutting is used to eliminate conduction in a never or tract.

Question 15

Gene knockout techniques

Answer 15

Procedure for creating organisms that lack a particular gene

Question 16

Gene replacement techniques

Answer 16

Replacing one gene with another

Question 17

Pharmacological research methods

Answer 17

Investigates the effect of drugs on thoughts and behaviours

Question 18

Intracellular unit recording

Answer 18

Record from the inside of a cell

Question 19

Extracellular unit recording

Answer 19

Record from amongst cells, not inside a specific one