Ways of investigating the brain

Question 1

What scanning techniques are used for brains

Answer 1

Functional magnetic resonance imaging
Electroencephalogram
Event related potentials
Post Mortem examinations

Question 2

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

Answer 2

works by detecting changes in blood oxygenation and flow that occur as a result of neural activity in specific parts of the brain. When brain area is more active it consumes more oxygen to meet the demands so blood flows to that area.

fMRI produces 3 dimensional images showing parts which were involved in a mental processes.

Question 3

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Answer 3

Measures electrical activity within the brain via electrodes. The recording represents the brainwave patterns that are generated from a action, providing a overall account of brain activity.

used to indicate neurological abnormalities such as epilepsy or sleep disorders

Question 4

Event related potentials (ERPs)

Answer 4

EEG data contains many neural responses but using statistical averaging technique all extraneous brain activity is filtered out leaving only those that relate to a specific stimulus. What remains are event related potentials.

ERPs have helped is find links to cognitive processes such as attention and perception

Question 5

Post mortem examinations

Answer 5

Involves analysing a person’s brain after their death.
People who have rare disorders are more likely to be subject to post mortem as the areas of damage can be examined so a cause of the behaviour can be established.

Involves a comparison of a neurotypical brain in order to ascertain the extent of the difference.