Neuropsychology Flashcards
Where and what is the Amygdala
It’s in the temporal lob and processes emotion and has been linked to aggression
How does low serotonin affect the brain
It affects thinking e.g (suicidal thought) and behaviour (low mood, depression)
What is the importance of localisation
The effect of any damage depends on the area of the brain affected because functions are localised.
What happens when someone undergoes a stroke
When the brain is deprived of oxygen because of disruption to its blood supply, the specific areas affected will die.
The effects may not be permanent if other parts of the brain take over localised functions.
Overview of ct scans
Large doughnut-shaped scanner rotates around the person to take lots of X-rays of the brain.
Images are taken from different angles and are combined to build up a detailed picture.
Strengths of ct scans
Useful for revealing abnormal structures like tumours.
Quality of the images provided is higher than traditional X-rays.
Weaknesses of ct scans
Requires more radiation than X-rays.
Only produces still images.
Overview of pt scans
Patient is injected with a radioactive substance like glucose.
Brain activity shown on a computer screen.
What are the strengths of pet scans
Shows brain in action.
Shows localisation of function when person asked to perform a specific task.
What are the weakness of PET scans
Expensive.
Images difficult to interpret.
Ethical issues due to the injection of radioactive substance.
Overview FMRI
Measure changes in blood oxygen levels in the brain.
Brain activity displayed as 3D images produced on a computer screen.
What is a strength of FMRI scans
Shows brain in action.
Clear images.
No radiation.
Weaknesses of FMRI scans
Expensive.
Person must stay very still.
Time lag between activity and image appearing.
