NO EXAM TEST REVISION

Question 1

meaning of MRI

Answer 1

magnetic resonance imaging

Question 2

what do MRI scans produce?

Answer 2

detailed, 3D images of the brain STRUCTURE

Question 3

how do MRI scans work?

Answer 3

uses magnetic fields that forces protons in the body to align with that field. When a radiofrequency current is then pulsed through the patient, the protons are stimulated, and spin out of equilibrium, straining against the pull of the magnetic field.

Question 4

advantage of MRI?

Answer 4

little health risks

Question 5

disadvantage of MRI?

Answer 5

• have to hold still for a long time

- not applicable if you have metal inside your body because of the magnet

Question 6

what is neuroplasticity?

Answer 6

the ability of neural networks in the brain to change through growth and reorganization. These changes range from individual neuron pathways making new connections, to systematic adjustments like cortical remapping.

Question 7

what is the study?

Answer 7

Maguire et al (2000)

Question 8

what is the aim?

Answer 8

to investigate neuroplasticity: the ability of the brain to change in terms of the volume of grey matter dependent on learning and experience

Question 9

what is the sample?

Answer 9

16 healthy, right-handed taxi drivers in London who had passed ‘the knowledge’ a test of spatial knowledge

Question 10

what is the procedure?

Answer 10

• brain scan in an MRI scanner
• compared with scans of 50 healthy, right-handed non taxi drivers
• measured volume of grey matter in hippocampus
• grey matter measured by voxel-based morphemetry (VBM) which focuses on the density of the grey matter and pixel counter

Question 11

what are the results?

Answer 11

the posterior hippocampi, especially the right side of the hippocampus of the taxi drivers = greater volume of grey matter
whereas the controls had a greater volume of grey matter in their anterior hippocampi
Maguire also carried out a correlational analysis where she found that right hippocampal matter showed a correlation to length of time as a taxi driver

Question 12

what is the conclusion?

Answer 12

the posterior hippocampi may be linked to spatial navigation skills built up via learning and experience

Question 13

strengths of Maguire?

Answer 13

• highly-controlled clinical method
• obtained objective data that was easily analysed
• the correlation analysis increases the validity of the idea that neuroplasticity is linked to learning and experience

Question 14

limitations of Maguire?

Answer 14

• correlation cannot show cause-and-effect (taxi drivers may already have high grey matter before coming taxi drivers)
• results are only applicable to male, right-handed taxi drivers within London