PSY290 > L3: Research Methods > Flashcards

L3: Research Methods Flashcards

(60 cards)

Study These Flashcards
1
Q

What is the general approach to research methods

A

search for relationships between brain structure/activity and a particular state

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Describe macro vs micro level of analysis

A

macro: entire brain using neural imaging (EEG, PET, MRI, lesion studies) and examining traits

micro: inducing specific activity, protein expression, usually using microbviology

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Define spatial resolution

A

The ability to visualize and target small structures

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What techniques have good/poor spatial resolution

A

good: MRI

poor: EEG

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Define temporal resolution

A

ability to accurately show changes in activity per unit time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What techniques have good/poor temporal resolution

A

good: EEG

poor: PET

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Define coverage

A

How much of the brain can be measured

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Define mobility

A

Viability of the tool in situations involving movement

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What does ERP stand for

A

event-related potential (EEG measuring specific event-response )

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What does EEG stand for

A

Electroencephalography

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Describe EEG

A

measures electrical activity in specific brain regions

useful in studies of arousal, consciousness, and epilepsy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What neurons are studied by EEG

A

predetermined arrangement of electrodes survey mostly surface neurons with a particular orientation

very poor for deep neurons as they will not be picked up

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is measured on the EEG record

A

potential difference in volts on the y axis

over

time in seconds on the x axis

Forms a frequency that represents synaptic activation; NOT firing rate since not all EPSPs make an AP

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Define frequency

A

variation in voltage over time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Beta frequency

A

13-30 Hz

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Alpha frequency

A

7-13 Hz

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Theta frequency

A

4-7 Hz

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Delta frequency

A

1-4 Hz

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Describe the resolution of an EEG

A

great temporal resolution (millisecond scale) but poor spatial resolution (deeper areas not measured)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What does PET stand for

A

Positron Emission Tomography

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Describe 5 steps to how PET works

A

1) synthetic radiotracer injected into a substance who’s path/location we want to trace

2) Substance with radiotracer injected into brain

3) As radiotracer reacts with tissue it generates a traceable radioactive signal

4) Signal is measured

5) Origin of signal is determined and mapped with image reconstruction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Two purposes for PET for neuroscientists

A

measuring metabolic activity

characterizing distribution of specific substances

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is a glucose radiotracer used for

A

detect glucose metabolism

since glucose metabolism= energy used = active neuron

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is a transmitter radiotracer used for

A

receptor occupancy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Describe the resolution of PET
decent spatial resolution- better than EEG but worse than MRI poor temporal resolution due to large time window
26
What is the main use of PET in neuroscience
characterizing substances like receptors and proteins by looking at their properties
27
What does MRI stand for
magnetic resonance imaging
28
Three types of MRI/related methods and what are they for
MRI= structural for grey matter DTI= structural for white matter fMRI= for activity
29
Why are brain alterations in MRI findings associated with conditions not helpful data
lack strong correlations
30
What does DTI stand for
diffusion tensor imaging
31
What does DTI study
white matter (myelinated axons)
32
What is the most likely reason for an observed increase in grey matter
increased synapses or glia since new neurons are rarely added
33
What is dendritic arborization and synaptogenesis and what tissue type does it affect
affects grey matter process of dendritic growth, creating more synaptic connections
34
What tissue type is affected by gliogenesis
grey matter
35
List four cellular mechanisms that impact only white matter
- fiber reorganization - myelin formation - myelin remodelling - astrocyte changes
36
Describe the basis of an fMRI signal
active neurons use glucose and oxygen The oxygenation of brain areas is proportioal to their change in activity oxygenated and deoxygenated blood have different magnetic properties which can be measured
37
Define neurovascular coupling
brain areas oxygenation ~ brain areas changing in activity
38
How is neuronal activity measured in an fMRI
measure bloods oxygenation/deoxygenation ratio in a given area
39
What is an issue in the temporal resolution of fMRI
from the time of activity to when a signal can be detected is about 3.5 seconds this means that it cannot be guaranteed that an observed activity actually corresponds with a given signal
40
What is one of the biggest issues with neuroimaging studies
the problem of reverse inference eg. when someone is agressive the amygdala is active /= when the amygdala si active a person is agressive
41
List four negative states when the amygdala is active
fear disgust sadness anger
42
List four positive states when the amygdala is active
happiness humor sex
43
Describe the data problem
Due to a lack of standardization in forms or data analysis, subjectivity in error correction, too few subjects, and the risk of false positives, reliability and validity are issues when using any tool (particularly MRI)
44
Describe the resolution of fMRI
Great spatial resolution, best Decent temporal resolution, better than PET but not as good as EEG due to time lag
45
what is a legion study
Studying brain injuries that occurered by chance and are associated with behavioural differences
46
List three influential lesion studies
Patient HM Phineas Gage Patient SM406
47
Patient HM
lesion of hippocampus and adjoining areas impaired memory
48
Phineas Gage
lesions of frontal lobe lead to impulsivity and impaired social behaviour
49
Patient SM406
Lesion of the amygdala lead to reduced fear
50
Why can case studies not be generalized
Lesions are rarely specific and damage to other areas could be meaningful Other behaviors could be impaired but not measured Could be chance Overall, not experimental as there is not control for other variables
51
What are single cell recordings and when are they used
measuring the activity of individual neurons or small groups of neurons by using microelectrodes inserted into the brain Used rarely in humans since they are highly invasive. Only if already in open skull surgery
52
What are two examples of single-cell recordings
Halle Berry and Jennifer Anniston neuron studies
53
List three methods of analysis at the level of the genes and proteins
- measure gene expression through mRNA and protein - measure epigenetic changes through DNA methylation - determine association of traits with genetic variations
54
What does IHC stand for
Immunohistochemistry
55
Describe IHC
very frequently used to localize proteins and other substances in the brain with specialized stains by tagging with specialized antibodies Used in humans and animals, and post-mortem rain tissue is required
56
How can we identify causal relationships
manipulate brain activity in a controlled, experimental setting using brain stimulation and drugs
57
four types of brain stimulation
transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
58
Describe TMS
magnetic fields can reversibly inactivate neuronal activity in certain brain areas most popular as a potential treatment for depression used for research in that if TMS of a brain area changes a behaviour, that brain area could be contributing to the particular behaviour
59
Advantages of TMS and TDCS
noninvasive, well-tolerated, fast
60
Three disadvantages of TMS and TDCS
- unclear what stimulation parameters to use - difficulty in precisely targeting certain deep brain areas (not great spatial resolution) - due to he discomfort of treatment. blinding is difficult to mantain
PSY290
flashcards
Decks in class (12)
# Cards
Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2026 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions