Neuroscience techniques Flashcards

1
Q

What is resolution

A

the extent to which a method can sample the brain’s function

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2
Q

What is spatial resolution

A

Precision in the localization of brain activity/function

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3
Q

What is temporal resolution

A

Precision in the timing of brain activity/function

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4
Q

What do structural MRIs do

A

Produces detailed images of the brain to investigate the structure

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5
Q

What do sMRIs rely on?

A

The magnetic properties of hydrogen nuclei

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6
Q

What do structural MRIs measure

A

Size of cortical matter, size of specific parts of the brain, differences in brain structure between people

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7
Q

What are advantages of structural MRIs

A

Non invasive, little health risk, high spatial resolution

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8
Q

What are disadvantages of structural MRIs

A

cramped area, expensive, only information on the structure alone

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9
Q

What does a functional MRI measure

A

Changes in the concentration of oxygen in the blood relating to neural activity

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10
Q

What is the BOLD signal

A

Blood oxygen level dependent

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11
Q

What is the haemodynamic response

A

When the BOLD signal evolves over time as a response to increase in neural activity

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12
Q

What are the 3 phases in the haemodynamic response

A

Initial dip, overcompensation, undershoot

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13
Q

What happens in the initial dip of the haemodynamic response

A

neuronal consuming of oxygen, small rise of deoxyhaemoglobin so a reduction of the BOLD signal

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14
Q

What happens in the overcompensation phase of the haemodynamic response

A

increased consuming of oxygen, more blood flow, BOLD signal increases due to increase of blood flow

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15
Q

What happens in the undershoot of the haemodynamic response

A

blood flow + oxygen consumption dip and return to original levels, relaxation of venous system, temp increase of deoxyhaemo

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16
Q

When are functional MRIs used?

A

Investigating which brain areas are active under certain conditions, the differences of brain activity between people, changes in brain activity pre and post interventions

17
Q

What did Milne et al find?

A

Memory issues are reported in patients with MDD and reflects the hippocampal changes. Increased activity in the right hippocampal area when comparing the control and people with MDD

18
Q

What are the advantages of functional MRIs

A

non invastive, good spatial resolution, low health risk

19
Q

What are disadvantages of functional MRIs

A

noisy, cramped space,
very expensive machine,
poor temporal resolution,
indirect measure of brain activity

20
Q

What do EEGs do

A

Investigate the electrical activity of the brain

21
Q

How do EEGs work

A

Neurons produce electrical charges that form patterns called brain waves. The electrodes detect brain wave. The EEG machine amplifies the signals and records them in a wave pattern

22
Q

When are EEGs used

A

Investigate brain activation with milliseconds resolution, investigate changes in brain activity between groups, biomarkers of disorders. Patterns of brain waves (alpha, beta, gamma, theta) each associated with specific cognitive functions/behaviours. For ERPS

23
Q

Where do EEGs signals originate

A

In the post synaptic dendritic

24
Q

What are the currents for EEGs signals

A

Passive and active currents

25
What are advantages of EEGs
Non-invasive Inexpensive and flexible Good temporal resolution (ms range) Direct measure of brain activity
26
What are disadvantages of EEGS
Poor spatial resolution Mostly restricted to activity from cortical areas
27
What do ERPs measure
The amount of electrical activity due to a stimulus
28
What gives the peaks in an ERP wave
Dipoles which summate to the skull
29
What are dipoles
Separation of electrical charges that create an EM field from different neurones and regions
30
What do TMS do
Activate or modulate neuronal activity in the brain which allows infering of brain behaviour relations
31
What happens when there is a change in the electric current in TMS
A magnetic field is created which will incrase the rate of change in the electric current which induces a secondary electric current into the nearby wire
32
Where is the secondary current induced
In neurons below the stimulation site
33
When are TMS used
To investigate the relationship between brain areas and behaviour. Stimulating the areas of the brain with decreased activity
34
What are advantages of TMS
Non-invasive Quick Relatively cheap
35
What are disadvantages of TMS
Some side effects (e.g. headaches, scalp pain, dizziness) Still not sure how long the effects last Poor spatial and temporal resolution
36
What do animal models do
They target lesion of defined brain areas with targeted training and analysing the brain structures
37
How is animal models invasive
There is invasive recording of neural activity and brain stimulation
38
What does animal models allow
Causal conclusions