Research Methods Used in Behavioral Neuroscience

Question 1

Tissue Analysis (Histology)

Answer 1

Identify cell types and connections; identify disease states; ex. stains

Question 2

Behavioral Analysis

Answer 2

generate tests to allow people and neuropsychological lab animals to demonstrate behavioral capacities; ex. tests, mazes

Question 3

Brain Perturbation

Answer 3

modify brain activity to observe behavioral changes; ex. lesions, stimulation

Question 4

Optogenetics

Answer 4

uses light to activate specific ion channels and relate to behavior; ex. insert specific light sensitive proteins

Question 5

Recording Graded Potentials

Answer 5

measure coordinated activity of thousands of neurons; ex. EEG, ERP, MEG

Question 6

Recording Action Potentials

Answer 6

record action potentials of individual neurons; ex. single-cell recording, multi-cell recording

Question 7

Static Images

Answer 7

noninvasive examination of brain structure; ex. CT, MRI, DTI

Question 8

Dynamic Images

Answer 8

measure brain activity during specific behaviors; ex. fMRI, PET, fNIRS

Question 9

Postmortem Chemistry

Answer 9

measure distribution of transmitters; ex. HPLC

Question 10

In Vivo Chemistry

Answer 10

relate fluctuations in transmitter release to behavior; ex. microdialysis, voltametry

Question 11

Genetics

Answer 11

relate genes to brain and behavior; ex. DNA analysis

Question 12

Epigenetics

Answer 12

identify effects of experience on gene expression, brain and behavior; ex. gene expression analysis