Post Mortems

Question 1

When do post mortems investigate the brain?

Answer 1

After the death

Question 2

What does any damage found allow us to do?

Answer 2

Allows us to link that part of the brain to a particular function
May also involve comparison with a neurotypical brain in order to see the extent of the difference

Question 3

What is the brain cut into?

Answer 3

Slices

Question 4

What do PME’s determine the cause of?

Answer 4

Cause of behaviour/dysfunction experienced when the patient was alive

Question 5

When were PME’s used?

Answer 5

In the early days of biopsychology- there was no sophisticated technology available to look at a living brain

Question 6

Can PME detect brain activity?

Answer 6

No- it is just used to investigate the structure of the brain

Question 7

What disease can only be determined by conducting a PME?

Answer 7

Alzheimer’s

Question 8

What was PME used to investigate?

Answer 8

The damage done to HM’s brain and helped to determine the link between the hippocampus and the formation of new memories