studying the brain

• post mortem 


  studding the brain after death
• How post mortem works


  study persons behaviour when they are alive

  analyse the brain during the post mortem to find abnormalities or lesions

  correlate the affected part of the brain with the abnormal behaviour
• Pros of post mortem


  level of detail: can analyse deeper sections of the brain.
• cons of post mortem


  cause and effect: cannot establish cause and effect, effected part of brain may not be the cause of their behaviour.

  ethical issues: at what extent can patients with abnormalities give consent(refer to case study of patient HM)
• What are event-related potentials (ERPs) in the context of EEG data analysis?

  Brainwaves triggered by specific sensory, motor, or cognitive events
• What is the significance of excellent temporal resolution in ERP measurements?

  It allows for more specific measurement of neural processes compared to EEG
• How does statistical averaging technique affect EEG recordings?

  It removes extraneous brain activity, isolating responses to specific stimuli or tasks
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of using ERP in research?

  Strengths:

  • Excellent temporal resolution
  • Useful for measuring cognitive deficits and functions

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Lack of standardization in methodology
  • Background noise can obstruct results
• What physiological response do fMRI scans rely on?

  The haemodynamic response
• Why do areas of the brain appear brightly colored on fMRI scans?

  Because they have a higher requirement for oxygenated blood
• How does the bold response relate to fMRI scans?

  It measures the absorption of the signal by deoxyhaemoglobin in active brain areas
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of fMRI scans?

  Strengths:

  • High spatial resolution
  • Can be used during tasks
  • Safer than PET scans

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Poor temporal resolution (5-second delay)
• What is the primary function of EEG scans?

  To measure and amplify electric activity across the brain
• How do EEG scans contribute to sleep research?

  They are useful in investigating the characteristics of different sleep stages
• Why is EEG considered more appropriate for monitoring ongoing cerebral states than fMRI?

  Because it has much higher temporal resolution
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of EEG scans?

  Strengths:

  • High temporal resolution
  • Useful in diagnosing epilepsy

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Lower spatial resolution
  • Difficulty in differentiating adjacent areas