reaserch methods

Question 1

which 4 types of techniques can we use to study the brain?

Answer 1

1. structural techniques
2. Activety-based techniques
3. Neurochemical techniques
4. Genetic approaches

Question 1

Lesion studies

Answer 1

study where you look at the results of brain damage.

difficult to preform a well-controlled study.

Question 2

Coputerized tomography (CT)

Answer 2

Uses X-rays to image “slices” through the brain or other tissue.

Question 3

Magnetic resonance imagery (MRI)

Answer 3

Uses a strong magnetic field to image the brain.

better resolution than CT.

Question 4

Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI)

Answer 4

Uses MRI scanner to identify bundels of axons so connections between brain regions can be studied.

Question 5

Define activity based techniques

Answer 5

We can study electrical activity by recording it, or manipulating it.

This is called electrophysiology. ex. in vitro recordings or calcium imaging.

Question 6

Multiunit activety or electrotroencephalogram (EEG)

Answer 6

measuring electrical activity in many neurons. can divide the hemispheres, but not brain regions.

Question 7

Functional MRI (fMRI)

Answer 7

Recording activety with the best spatial resolution, by comparing blood flow between different conditions.

Question 8

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

Answer 8

Can be used to control the brain in humans

Applying magnetic field can induce electrical activity in neurons.

Question 9

Optogenetics

Answer 9

A modern technique that allows neurons to be controlled by light.

Can target very precisely to just one type of neuron.

Question 10

Chemeogenetics

Answer 10

Adding a designer receptor to neurons.

Question 11

What defines neurochemical methods?

Answer 11

Neurochemicals refers to any chemicals in the brain.

Different neurons make different neurotransmitters.

If we know what type of neurotransmitter a neuron makes, we can understand what the neuron is doing and also where and when the neurotransmitter is released.

Question 12

PET (positron emission tomography)

Answer 12

Can be used to measure neurochemicals.

Can indirectly measure a neurochemical by observing how consentration of radioactive drug changes.

Question 13

MRS (magnetic resonance spectroscopy)

Answer 13

Uses the same technique as MRI but analyses the signal to detect different chemicals based on how they react to the magnetic field.

Question 14

Genetic approaches

Answer 14

Important to consider the effect of genes and nature vs. nurture

ex;
* Twin studies
* Adoption studies

Question 15

Genomic studies

Answer 15

examine how a particular gene is linked to a behaviour.

Target mutation: target a certain gene and “knock it out”

Antisense oligonucleotides: can turn genes off buy stopping them being translated into protein.