how to study the brain

• Methods to study the brain and its role in behaviour/congition

  • behavioural studies
  • manipulations of the brain
  • neuroanatomy and histology
  • electrophysiology
  • imaging (MRI and PET)
  • comutational models/brain-based devices
• case studies: HM


  -impairments in specofic types of memory, inlcuding aspects of declarative and spatial memory

  -other cognitive and memory functions were largely unaffected
• Experimentally induced lesions and other brain manipulations (1)

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  • Selective destruction of specific brain sites (mechanical, electrolytic, neurotoxic)
  • Temporary pharmacological manipulations via pre-implanted micro-cannulae to switch neurons or specific receptors on and off
  • Electrical stimulation of specific brain sites
• Experimentally induced lesions and other brain manipulations (2)


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  • Targeted mutations of brain-specific genes
  • Optogenetics
  • Trans-cranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)