Research Flashcards
Parts of the brain affected by drugs
Reward Pathway, especially the dopamine neurons of the ventral tegmental area (this area communicates with the nucleus accumbens)
Learning and Memory: Reflexes
Using a sea slug found that certain stimuli resulted in more robust protective reflexes, which is a form of learning. Reflex is short-term
Learning and Memory: -
Found that stronger stimuli activate genes that result in changing protein levels -> growth to synapses. Long-term forms
Amblyopia
Monkeys and cats for amblyopia (vision of one eye is greatly reduced because the eyes do not work well together)
Microdialysis
Measures the amount of a brain chemical found in a specified area of the brain (inject radioactive amino acid into cells)
Electrophysiology
Study of electrical properties of neurons
PET
Positron Emission Tomography. Measure blood flow or energy consumption in the brain. Detect radioactivity emitted when positrons, positvely charged particles, undergo radioactive decay in the brain
PET Use
Understand stroke, depression, and Parkinson’s disease (change in release of neurotransmitters)
SPECT
Single photon emission computed tomography - similar to PET, but pics not as detailed. Cheaper
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging. High-quality, three-dimensional image of organs and inner body structures without X-ray. 15-minute procedure.
Diffusion tensor imaging
MRI procedure. Tracks fiber tracts and the connectivity between regions
MRS
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Same machinery as MRI, but measures chemicals (such as neurotransmitters) in parts of the brain, not blood flow.
MRS Use
Aging and brain development. Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, autism, stroke
fMRI
Functional magnetic resonance imaging. Compares brain activity under rest and activitiy. Combines MRI with diff/ strategy.
MEG
Magnetoencephalography. Recent, characterizes rapidly changing patterns of neural activity. Developments in combination of fMRI and MEG.
Optical Imaging
Shines weak lasers through the skull to visualize brain activity. Cheap
NIRS
Near infrared spectroscopy. Skull becomes transparent.
Event-related Optical Signal
Records how light scatters in rapid cellular changes
TMS
Transcranial magnetic stimulation. When using with fMRI, shows correlation between region and behavior.
Chromosome Microarray
Newer technique used to look at the overall chromosome makeup of a person and find out if segments are missing (deletions) or in more than usual amounts (duplications)
HTT gene condition
Altered in Huntington’s
RBI gene condition
RBI - Causes inherited retinoblastoma (rare, highly malignant, childhood eye tumor that can lead to blindness and death)
Walker-Warburg Syndrome
Problems with brain, eyes, muscles. Death in infancy or childhood. > 5 genes associated
FMRI gene condition
Gene mapping found FMRI gene (abnormal in fragile X syndrome, the most common cause of inherited intellectual disability in males)
