Ways of studying the brain Flashcards
fMRI
Detects changes in blood oxygenation - neural activity
Active = more activity
Can compare whilst completing tasks
3D images
Strengths fMRI
No use of radiation
Non invasive
High spatial resolution
Weaknesses of fmri
Low temporal resolution
Expensive
Must stay still
EEGs
Measures electrical activity within brain
Electrodes on skull
Records brainwave patterns from neurones = brain activity
Diagnostic tool
Strengths of EEG
High temporal resolution
Aids diagnostic
Understanding of key processes - sleep wake
Weaknesses of EEG
Generalised info
No spatial resolution
Cannot distinguish between adjacent areas
ERP
Isolate specific neural responses associated with sensroy /cog / motor events
Filters extraneous info from EEG
Statistical averaging to work out specific neurones
Strength of ERP
More specific than EEG
High temporal resolution
Weakness of ERP
Hard to repeat - needs complete removal of EVs
Post-mortem
Analyses brain after death
Rare conditions - identifies likely causes
Strengths of post mortem
Early understanding of key processes
B + W area link to language first established w post mortem
Weaknesses of post mortem
Ethical
Cannot see live activity
Damage found may not be linked with problem
