Notes: Topic 2 (chpt.7) pt.3 Flashcards
What is single-cell recording?
A very small wire gets inserted to the brain, and instead of applying electricity, it receives it and measures the electrical current
What is an Electroencephalogram (EEG)
A tool where electrodes measure “summed graded potentials” of all neurons in an area.
What are Event-Related Potentials (ERP)
looking at patterns in the graded potentials on dendrites triggered by a sensory stimuli
What are Temporal and Spatial Resolutions
Temporal Resolutions: describes its ability to tell you exactly WHEN the activation happened
Spatial Resolutions: the capacity a technique has to tell you exactly which area of the brain is active
Event-Related Potentials (ERP’s) process needs to be done over and over again and averaged across multiple stimulus presentations, why do we have to do this?
Because other stimuli (like background noise from a fan) can interfere with results
What is a Magnetoencephalography (MEG)
Instead of measuring electricity, the MEG measures the magnetic fields produced by the passage of electric electricity of the skull, that allows 3D visualization
What is a pro and con on the MEG
Pro: has a higher resolution than a ERP
Con: expensive
What are Anatomical Imaging Techniques
imaging techniques that focus on the “structures” of the brain
What is a Computed tomography (CT) scan
A scan that produces flat static images using x-rays and dye.
What is a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan
a scan that produces static 3D images by passing a strong magnetic field through the brain.
Why are MRI’s preferred over a CT scan
Because its more accurate and has a higher spacial resolution