Ways To Study The Brains

Question 1

What are the 2 key concepts

Answer 1

Temporal resolution and spatial resolution

Question 2

What is temporal resolution

Answer 2

the accuracy of the scanner in relation of time: or how quickly the scanner can detect changes in brain activity

Question 3

What is spatial resolution

Answer 3

the smallest feature (or measurement) that a scanner can detect, and is an important feature of brain scanning techniques

Question 4

What is fMRI

Answer 4

It’s a machine that produces 3d images that show which parts of the brain are using larger amounts of oxygen and are therefore more active

Question 5

How does fMRI work

Answer 5

It detects the changes in blood oxygenation and flow that occurs as a result of neural (brain) activity in specific parts of the brain.

Question 6

How can you tell that a brain area is more active in an fMRI

Answer 6

More oxygen is consumed and shown

Question 7

How are dynamic 3d maps of the brain shown in an fMRI

Answer 7

Deoxygenated haemoglobin has a different magnetic quality from oxygenated haemoglobin. An fMRI can detect these different magnetic qualities

Question 8

What is the temporal resolution of fmris

Answer 8

1-4 seconds after it occurs

Question 9

What is the spatial resolution of fmris

Answer 9

1-2mm

Question 10

What re 3 strengths of an fmri

Answer 10

.dont rely on the use of radiation so its safer
.risk free, non invasive and straightforward
.good spatial resolution therefore very detailed

Question 11

What are 4 weaknesses of fmris

Answer 11

.expensive
.can only capture a clear image if person stays still
.poor temporal resolution so there can be a lag
.only measures blood flowing and not neurons so the type of brain activity can’t be presented

Question 12

What is an EEG

Answer 12

Machine which measure electrical activity within the brain via electrodes that are fixed on the scalp, usually using a skull cap

Question 13

What does the EEG scan recording show

Answer 13

Brainwave patterns that’s are generated from the actions of millions of neurons

Question 14

What are the 4 types of EEG patterns

Answer 14

alpha, beta, theta and delta waves

Question 15

Why do clinicians tend to use EEGs

Answer 15

Because they pick up on unusual arrhythmic patterns which may indicate neurological abnormalities such as epilepsy, tumours, or sleep disorders

Question 16

What are the 2 distinctive states of EEG patterns

Answer 16

Synchronised and desynchronised

Question 17

What is a synchronised pattern

Answer 17

Recognisable waveform

Question 18

What is a desynchronised pattern

Answer 18

Where there is no pattern

Question 19

What does amplitude and frequency show

Answer 19

The intensity of the activity and the speed or quantity of the activity

Question 20

What are 3 strengths of an EEG

Answer 20

.important in diagnosis of several conditions such as epilepsy
.contributed in understanding sleep stages
.extremely high temporal resolution and can detect brain activity at a resolution of one ms

Question 21

What are 2 weaknesses of EEGs

Answer 21

.produces very generalised information so its not useful for finding source of neural activity
.can’t distinguish between activity originating in different but adjacent locations of the brain

Question 22

What are ERPs

Answer 22

a way of teasing out and isolating specific neural responses associated with sensory, cognitive, and motor events with equipment similar to EEGs

Question 23

How does an ERP work

Answer 23

A stimulus is presented to a participant (for example a picture/sound) and the researcher looks for
activity related to that stimulus

Question 24

What is the temporal resolution of a EEG and ERP

Answer 24

Every millisecond

Question 25

What is the spatial resolution of a EEG and ERP

Answer 25

Activity only detected in superficial and general areas of the brain

Question 26

What are 3 strengths of ERPs

Answer 26

● ERPs bring much more specificity to the measurement of neural processes than could be
achieved using raw EEG data.
● The excellent temporal resolution of ERPs have led to their widespread use in the measurement
of cognitive functions and deficits.
● Researchers have been able to identify many different types of ERP and describe the precise
role of these in cognitive functioning including parts of working memory.

Question 27

What are the 2 limitations of ERPs

Answer 27

.it is harder to do properly as all background noise and extraneous material need to b eliminated in order to establish pure data
.lack o standardisation therefore harder to confirm findings

Question 28

What is post-mortem examination

Answer 28

Analysing a persons brain after their death to identify causes of afflictions and any unusual details which could identify causes of certain living behaviours

Question 29

What did Iverson find in the brans of schizophrenic patients

Answer 29

High conc of dopamine especially in the limbic system

Question 30

What are the 3 strengths of post-mortem analysis

Answer 30

. evidence was vital in providing a foundation for early understanding of key processes in the brain.
.Both Broca and Wernicke relied on PM studies in establishing links between language, brain, and behaviour decades before neuroimaging began.
.improve medical knowledge and help generate hypotheses for further study.

Question 31

What are the weaknesses of post mortem analysis

Answer 31

● Causation is an issue: Observed damage to the brain may not be linked to the deficits under review but to some
other unrelated trauma or decay.
● PM studies raise ethical issues of consent from the patient before death.