Maguire ERQ

Question 1

The theory of localization of function refers to the idea of different parts of the brain being responsible for different behaviors, cognitive functions, or emotions. What can this study be used for?

Answer 1

Localization, neuroplasticity, techniques used to study the brain

Question 2

Year

Answer 2

Maguire (2000)

Question 3

Background

Answer 3

• The theory of localization of function refers to the idea of different parts of the brain being responsible for different behaviors, cognitive functions, or emotions.
• Right hemisphere - creativity emotions
• Left hemisphere - logic, mathematical abilities
• Occipital, parietal, frontal and temporal lobes
• Hippocampus embedded in the temporal lobe, part of limbic system
• Linked with learning, memory, spatial navigation, transferring memories from STM to LTM (Patient HM studies).
  ____________________________________________
• Autopsies
• MRIS are taken with a help of large tube-shaped machine
• Provides 3 dimensional image of the brain
• High resolution
• Apparatus induced magnetic field of the body
• Technique used in medicine for tumors, in psychology for examination of different brain areas

Question 4

Aim

Answer 4

Test whether London taxi drivers’ brain would be different as a result of extensive use of spatial memory

Question 5

Participants

Answer 5

16 right-handed London taxi drivers;
50 men’s brain scans for comparison

Question 6

Experimental design

Answer 6

Correlational study, single-blinded

Question 7

Procedure

Answer 7

• Taxi drivers were asked about their time spent as taxi drivers
• MRI scans were taken
• Comparing grey matter in the hippocampus of taxi drivers and men with no history of spatial memory use
• Grey matter density measured using Voxel-based morphology
• Pixel counting technique used to calculate the total area of hippocampus

Question 8

Results

Answer 8

• Posterior hippocampi of taxi-drivers significantly denser in grey matter than that of controls
• VBM revealed that volume of right posterior hippocampi correlated with the amount spend as a taxi driver
• No differences in other parts of the brain

Question 9

Link to localisation

Answer 9

• Shows that posterior hippocampus plays a key role in spatial memory and navigation
• Anterior hippocampal region may be involved in perception

Question 10

Link to neuroplasticity

Answer 10

• Structure of the brain changes in response environmental demands

Question 11

Link to techniques used

Answer 11

• MRI played a significant role in carrying out the study
• WIthout MRIs, the size of hippocampus could not be assessed and it’d be hard to provide evidence for neuroplasticity or localisation of function