ways of studying the brain

• spatial resolution is the level of accuracy in identifying the exact location of a brain structure or brain activity (where the brain activity occurred)
• temporal resolution is the level of accuracy in identifying the exact location of a brain activity in time (when activity happened)
• post mortem examination is the analysis of a person’s brain following their death
• post mortem examinations involves the comparison of the patient’s brain with a neurotypical brain, and any differences are assumed to have caused the neurological problem the patient faced in their lifetime
• post mortem examinations allow for a more in-depth examination of the anatomical and neurochemical aspects of the brain
• broca used post mortem examinations to identify broca’s area
• AO3 of post mortem examinations:

  • high spatial resolution - allows study of microscopic brain structures down to neuronal level, other methods cannot do this
  • happens after death, meaning that behaviour in life and damage is correlational
• fMRIs - functional magnetic resonance imaging: works by detecting changes in the blood oxygenation and flow levels that occur as a result of neural activity

  when a brain area is more active, it consumes more oxygen, meaning blood is directed to that area
• fMRIs produces 3D images indicating which areas of the brain are involved with certain processes
• AO3 of fMRIs:

  • has poor temporal resolution: 1 - 4 seconds, may not represent moment to moment brain activity and be able to accurately predict onset brain activity
  • non-invasive - risk free
  • good spatial resolution: 1-2mm, can determine different brain regions with greater accuracy
  • causation: do not provide a direct measure of neural activity, only measure changes in blood flow, also only shows localisation of function within a particular area of the brain but is limited in showing the communication that takes place among the different areas of the brain
• EEGs - electroencephalogram: measures electrical activity within the brain via electrodes that are on a skull cap
• EEGs records brainwave patterns that are generated from the action of neurons
• EEGs are used by clinicians as arrhythmic patterns of activity may indicate neurological abnormalities
• AO3 of EEGs:

  • non-invasive, but may cause discomfort for the participant - impacting cognitive responses
  • cheaper technique
  • poor spatial resolution - only detect activity in superficial regions of the brain, unable to provide information on what is happening in deeper regions of the brain
  • good temporal resolution: 1-10 milliseconds
• ERPs - event related potentials: electrophysiological response of the brain to a specific sensory, cognitive or motor event