neuroimaging

Question 1

Trans-cranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) strengths and weaknesses?

Answer 1

High temporal resolution, could be classed as moderately invasive. Only works on the surface level, can’t penetrate deep into the brain.

Question 2

What is the BOLD signal?

Answer 2

Blood oxygen level dependent signal - measured in fMRI. Reflects changes in deoxyhaemoglobin driven by localized changes in brain blood flow and oxygenation, coupled to underlying neuronal activity via neurovascular coupling (Hillman, 2015)

Question 3

Strengths of fMRI

Answer 3

Highest spatial resolution, non-inasive

Question 4

Weaknesses of fMRI

Answer 4

Expensive, indirect, no stable baseline, statistical noise, task limitations.

Question 5

Fusiform Face Area study

Answer 5

Kanwisher et al. (1997) - great example of creating a baseline through repeated measures of confounding variables

Question 6

Can you use fMRI to reverse infer function?

Answer 6

No - reverse inference logic is flawed as there is rarely a 1:1 ratio between brain region and function.

Question 7

Future of fMRI?

Answer 7

More focus on connections between brain regions and use of computational models top describe underlying mechanisms (Poldrack, 2011)