Ways Of Studying The Brain Flashcards
Quickly describe ways of studying the brain
Scanning techniques used to investigate localisation
What do FMRI’s do?
Detect changes in both blood oxygenation and flow that occur as a result of neural activity in specific areas of the brain.
When using an FMRI scanner are images 2D or 3D
3D
When looking at an image from an FMRI scanner the more active areas have…..
More oxygen therefore more blood flow
What do EEG’s measure?
Measures electrical activity within the brain via electrodes fixed to an individuals scalp.
What do EEG’s represent?
Represents brainwave patterns generated from action of thousands of neurones (overall account of brain activity)
How are ERP’s different to EEG’s?
ERP’s isolate EEG responses using a statistical averaging technique
What are ERP’s (brainwave)
Type of brainwave triggered by a particular events. Research revealed many types of ERP and how they are linked to cognitive functioning
Describe post-mortem analysis
Analysis of a persons brain following death. Usually done on people who had strange disorders. May include comparison with a neurotypical brain —> test difference
One strength of FMRI (AO3)
Does not rely on radiation
Virtually risk free, non invasive and straight forward to use.
High spatial resolution, high detail by mm
One limitation of FMRI (AO3)
Expensive compared to other neuroimmaging. Poor temporal resolution as 5- second time lag. May not be likely representative of early moment brain activity.
One strength of EEG (AO3)
Useful in studying sleep and diagnosis of conditions eg. Epilepsy. High temporal resolution and actively measure brain activity. (MS)
One limitation of EEG (AO3)
Generalised nature of information received. EEG signal is not effective in pinpointing exact source of neural activity. Cannot distinguish between activity/ localisation.
One strength of ERP’s (AO3)
More specifity to measurement of neural processes. Excellent temporal resolution. Used to measure cognitive functions and deficits eg. Allocation of attentional resources.
One limitation of ERP’s (AO3)
Lack of standardisation in ERP methodology between different research studies making it difficult to confirm findings. Background noise must be removed which is hard to do.
One strength of post morgen (AO3)
Vital to understanding key processes in the brain. Brocka and wernike relied on it. Used in HMs case to identify areas of damage associated with memory deficits.
One limitation of post Mortem (AO3)
Ethical issues of consent. before death however may not be able to give proper informed consent. Eg. HM could not. This challenges the usefulness.
