Studying the Brain^ Flashcards
Spatial Resolution
the extend to which a brain scan is able to pinpoint a regions of the brain
- general VS specific
Temporal Resolution
how close to real time you see thing happen
- 2 delay between what the brain is doing/ how long it takes to show on the scan
what does fMRIs stand for
functional magnetic resonance imaging
fMRIs Info
it monitors the amount of blood oxygenation in diff parts of the brain
- the used regions will have more blood and will flag up on the scan
fMRIs Haemodynamic Response
more blood being sent to the used region because more oxygen was sent there
Blood is required to balance out the increased oxygen levels
fMRIs BOLD
Blood Oxygen Level Depend
activation maps produced to show which areas are used for the task
- allow us to localise functions
participants must be still
- cog tasks are mainly monitored
No Radiation
risk free, non invasive, easy to use
Spatial Resolution +
images of spatial resolution
- detailed, clear pic of how brain act is localised
Expensive
to build and operate
VS other scans
Temporal Resolution
poor
5 sec delay between brain’s neural response and seeing the pic
not accurate display of localised brain function
Still Participants
they need to be completely still
difficult to achieve
can’t study phy reactions, only cognitive
what does EEGs
Electroencephalogram
EEGs info
skull cap with 22-34 electrodes fixed on scalp with conductive glue
- measures electrical activity
the reading from each electrode is the total activation of the brain cortex under that electrode
neurons = brain activity in brainwave pattern
diagnose arrhythmic patterns of activity (epilepsy, tumour, sleeping disorder)
Uses
used to study medical conditions
- epilepsy, sleep disorder
Temporal Resolution
high
sees everything in real time
brain activity can be localised
money
cheaper than fMRIs
participant allowed to move
Brain Activity
brain activity is general
- not specify the source of neural activity
- researchers get info from areas near the one they want to investigate
Spatial Resolution
poor
can’t detect activity deep in the brain
What does ERPs stand for?
Event Related Potential
ERPs Info
tests sensory, cognitive, motor events/responses
use the same technique as EEGs but present the stimuli more times
recorded the responses
Responses analyzed via statistical averaging techniques
- creates smooth curve of activation
Temporal Resolution
great
more used to measure cognition
VS EEGs
more specific reading than EEGs
Standardisation
lack of standardisation of methods
- ERPs carried out in diff ways
- studies difficult to replicate
- implicates the reliability of ERPs
Not Easy
Not easy to conduct
- complete silence
- hard to achieve
Spatial Resolution
very poor
Post Mortems
compare dead and alive brains for differences in structure
usually use brains with rare disorder
- compare to neurotypical brain
Broca - left frontal lobe with PM
Provide Evidence
crutial to provide evidence before scans
- foundation for future
Spatial Resolution
high
place segments under a microscope
study down to neuronal level
Unclear
the damage could be due to something other than disorder
- subject not alive, so can’t confirm
- info gathered is correlational
Ethical Issues
the subject mat not be able to provide informed consent
- because of condition
fMRIs A03
No Radiation: risk free, non-invasive, easy to use
High SR - detailed, clear pic of how and where brain act is localized
Expensive - to build and operate VS other scans
Low TR – poor, 5 sec delays between brain’s neural response and seeing the pic = not accurate display of localised brain function
Still Participants - difficult to achieve, can’t study physical reactions, only cognitive
EEGs A03
Measure general brain activity – don’t see the depth or whole picture
Low SR- Dont specify the source of activity. Get info from areas near, even if they perform diff functions
High TR – can see all in real time so brain activity can be localised
Can move – study diff things
- sleep stages and medical conditions (epilepsy)
Cheaper
ERPs A03
High TR – usually used to measure cognitions (memory, attention)
Low SR
Lacks standardized methods – use diff events for all, hard to replicate
Not easy to do – needs silence
Give more specific reasoning than EEGs
Post Mortems A03
Imp in giving evidence of brain activity before the other techiniques
High SR – can place segments under microscope and study down to the neuronal level
Damage could be due to somehting other thant he condition
Can’t know as patient isn’t alive so info is correlational
Ethical Issues – can’t give informed consent depending on condition
