Ways of investigating the brain Flashcards
fMRI - (Functional magnetic resonance imaging)
Works by detecting the changes in blood oxygenation and flow that occur as a result of neural (brain) activity in specific parts of the brain.
2 strengths of fMRI’s
- Does not rely on the use of radiation
- Produces high quality images, depicting detail by mm
2 weaknesses of fMRI’s
- Expensive
- Can only take a clear image if a person stays perfectly still
EEG - (Electroencephalogram)
Measures electrical activity within the brain via electrodes that are fixed to an individual’s scalp using a skull cap.
2 strengths of EEG’s
- High temporal resolution
- Can accurately detect brain activity at a resolution of a single millisecond.
2 weaknesses of EEG’s
- Generalised nature of information received.
- Not useful for pinpointing the exact source of neural activity.
ERP - (Event-related potentials)
The measured brain response that is the direct result of a specific sensory, cognitive, or motor event.
2 strengths of ERP’s
- High temporal resolution
- Can measure the brain’s electrical activity directly, making it more efficient
2 weaknesses of ERP’s
- Lack of standardisation
- Needs silence, which is sometime difficult to achieve
Post-mortem examination
Brain is analysed after death. Areas of damage within the brain are examined after death as a means of establishing the likely cause of harm.
2 strengths of post mortem examinations
- Vital in providing a foundation for early understanding of key processes in the brain. E.g. Broca’s and Wernicke’s area.
- Improves medical knowledge and helps generate hypotheses for further study.