1. Research Methods

2. Methods of Visualizing the Living Human Brain - Structure
Contrast X-Rays – inject something that absorbs X-rays
Cerebral angiography

3. Computed Tomography (CT Scan)
cross sectional images

4. CT SCAN
When:
Find cause of symptoms (confusion, vision problems, headaches, paralysis)
Trauma
Guidance for biopsy
What: bleeding in brain, clot, enlarged cavities, fractures, disease, tumors

5. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Produces 3-D images with high spatial resolution

6. Methods of Visualizing the Living Human Brain - Functional
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
Inject radioactive 2-DG
Functional MRI (fMRI)
Visualizing oxygen flow in the brain

7. fMRI Vs PET Nothing injected.
Provides both structural and functional information in one image
Spatial resolution is better than with PET
Can create 3-D images of activity over the entire brain

9. Electroencephalgram (EEG)
Measure overall brain activity
Epilepsy
Sleep Disorders
Monitor Brain activity during anethesia

10. Invasive Physiological Research Methods
Animal research
Stereotaxic surgery
Lesioning
Electrical stimulation
Invasive recording methods
Manipulating or measuring within the brain
Copyright © 2006 by Allyn and Bacon

11. Stereotaxic Surgery
Used to position experimental devices within the brain
Stereotaxic atlas – provides coordinates for locating structures within the brain
Bregma – a point on the top of the skull often used as a reference point
Sterotaxic instrument – used to hold head steady and guide the device to be inserted
Copyright © 2006 by Allyn and Bacon

14. Lesion Methods
Remove, damage, or destroy a part of the brain to observe impact on behavior
Types of lesions
Aspiration lesions – suction
Radio-frequency lesions (high frequency current) – heat destroys tissue
Knife cuts – may damage surrounding area
Used to eliminate conduction in a nerve or tract

16. Cognitive Neuroscience
Goal is to identify the parts of the brain that mediate various constituent cognitive processes
Paired-image subtraction technique – compare PET or fMRI images during several different cognitive tasks

17. Behavioral Paradigms
Procedures developed for the investigation of a particular behavioral phenomenon
Traditional conditioning paradigms
Skinner boxes
Mazes

18. Autopsies & Brain Damage