Ways of studying the brain

• What are the 4 ways of studying the brain?

  • fMRI
  • Post - mortem
  • EEG
  • ERP
• Function of fMRI

  measures the blood flow in the brain whilst the individual carries out a task
• Advantages of fMRI

  • risk-free
  • non-invasive
  • good spatial resolution
• Disadvantages of fMRI

  • poor temporal resolution
  • causation
  • very expensive
• Spatial resolution of fMRI

  1-2 mm
• Temporal resolution of fMRI

  1-4 seconds
• What does fMRI stand for?

  Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Function of a post-mortem

  looks at brain structure after death
• Advantages of a post-mortem

  • good spatial resolution
  • provides a detailed examination
  • provides neurological structure
• Disadvantages of a post-mortem

  • causation issues
  • ethical issues
  • very invasive
  • need consent
• Spatial resolution of a post-mortem

  very high compared to others
• Temporal resolution of a post-mortem

  none
• Function of an EEG

  electrodes that measure the nerve impulses and activity
• Advantages of an EEG

  • non-invasive
  • good temporal resolution
  • cheaper
  • quicker than fMRI
• Disadvantages of an EEG

  • poor spatial resolution
  • physically uncomfortable
• Spatial resolution of an EEG

  3-4 cm
• Temporal resolution of an EEG

  1-10 milliseconds
• What does EEG stand for?

  Electroencephalogram
• Function of an ERP

  electrodes measuring nerve impulses and activity to a stimuli
• Advantages of an ERP

  • can determine the effect of specific stimuli
  • good temporal resolution
  • good for cause and effect
• Disadvantages of an ERP

  • physically uncomfortable
  • poor spatial resolution
• What does ERP stand for?

  Event-Related Potential