Physiological Psychology: Neuropsychology Flashcards
Neuropsychology
The study of functions and behaviors of the brain
Studying human patients with Brain Lesions
They are rarely isolated lesions and it can be difficult to identify one region to a suffered damage
Studying Lab Animals with Brain Lesions
They can precisely define lesions for animal brains.
Ablation
Any surgically induced brain lesion.
Stereotaxic Instrument
The device used to locate brain areas when electrodes are implanted to make lesions or stimulate nerve cell activity.
Wilder Penfield
Created a research method that involves electrically stimulating and recording brain activity. The brain was electrically stimulated with a thin wire and the patient was asked to describe/ show their experience.
David Hubel & Torsten Wiesel
Conducted a research method where single cell activity was recorded
Electroencephalograph
A technique where several electrodes are placed on the surface of the head and broad patterns of electrical activity can be detected.
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
A diagram of the different electrical patterns and activities.
Regional Cerebral Blood Flow (rCBF)
A noninvasive procedure where broad patterns of neural activity based on increased blood flow are detected. The more blood flow, the more brain activity.
Examples of rCBF
CAT Scans
PET Scans
MRIs
Clinical Disorders Related to Lesions
Aphasia
Agnosia
Apraxia
Aphasia
A language disorder where an individual struggles with language production and understanding spoken language
Agnosia
A perception disorder where an individual struggles to recognize what they see. Visual perception and recognition are separated.
Apraxia
A motor disorder where an individual struggles to execute simple motor tasks.
