Studying the Brain

Question 1

FMRI

Answer 1

. Measures blood flow in brain when person preforms a task
. Neurons in brain that are most active use most energy (requires glucose and oxygen)
. Oxygen released for use by active neurons - haemoglobin becomes deoxygenated
. Deoxygenated haemoglobin has different magnetic quality

Question 2

FMRI evaluation

Answer 2

. Temp resolution = images show activity approx 1-4secs after it happens

. Spatial resolution = images thought to be accurate within 1-2mm

. Simply measure changes in blood flow not exact measure of neural activity

Question 3

EEG

Answer 3

. Measure electrical activity through electrodes attached to the scalp - info processed in brain as electrical activity in form of action potential
. Small electrical changes detected and graphed over period of time - indicates level of activity
. 4 types of EEG patterns = alpha, beta, theta, delta
. Used to detect illnesses such as epilepsy

Amplitude = intensity and size of activity
Frequency = speed or quantity of activity

Question 4

EEG evaluation

Answer 4

. Non - invasive
. Electrical activity often detected in several regions - difficult to pinpoint

Question 5

ERP

Answer 5

. Electrodes attached to scalp
. Stimulus presented to participants and researcher looks for activity related to that stimulus
. Presented many times, average response graphed (avaraging)

Question 6

ERP evaluation

Answer 6

. Non - invasive
. Enable the determination of how processing is affected by specific experimental manipulation

Question 7

EEG and ERP evaluation

Answer 7

Temp Resolution = show activity every millisecond, recording activity in (nearly) real-time

Spatial Resolution = only detect activity in superficial, general areas of brain

Question 8

Post - Mortem

Answer 8

. Study physical brain of a person who displayed particular behaviour whilst alive
. Contributed to understanding of many disorders
. E.G: Iverson examined brains of deceased schizophrenic patients, found higher concentration of dopamine
. Allows for more detailed/deeper analysis of brain structures

Question 9

Post - Mortem evaluation

Answer 9

Deficit a patient displays during lifetime may not be linked to deficits found in the brain

Invasive