Neurotransmitters & Emotions
This neurotransmitter can affect mood, sleep, and aggression
What is serotonin?
This limbic system structure plays a role in memory, emotion, fear, and aggression.
What is the amygdala?
This study by Baker et al. (2007) found that around 50% of the variation in antisocial behaviors, including aggression, is due to this
What is genetics
This neuroimaging technique uses magnetic fields to measure brain activity by detecting changes associated with blood flow.
What is a fMRI
One of the ways that animals are used in genetic research is through these types experiments. This is when animals are bred with the goal of producing a specific phenotype.
What is selective breeding
When serotonin levels are low, the prefrontal cortex might have difficulty controlling impulses, potentially leading to aggression.
What is the prefrontal cortex?
Radke et al. (2015) found that testosterone increased activity in this brain region when participants approached angry faces, suggesting a link to social threat processing.
What is the amygdala?
Meyer-Lindenberg et al. (2008) investigated how a specific gene, _______, influences brain activity when exposed to threats.
What is MAOA
This research method involves studying identical twins (monozygotic) and fraternal twins (dizygotic) to understand the relative influence of genes and environment on behavior.
What are twin studies
Modern research using selective breeding often uses mice called this – that is, a mouse that has had a single gene changed or removed. These mice are also sometimes referred to as “knockout mice.”
What are transgenic
A study by Passamonti et al. (2012) found that reduced levels of this neurotransmitter can disrupt the communication between the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex when exposed to threats
What is serotonin?
Feinstein et al. (2011) studied a patient with damage to this brain region who displayed no fear response.
What is the amygdala
Wedekind (1995) found that women tend to be more attracted to the smell of men with these kind of MHC genes
What are dissimilar
This type of clinical trial is one where neither the participants nor the researchers know which treatment is being administered until the end of the study.
What is a double blind
Researchers use transgenic mice because the manipulation of genetic material allows for this type of research - allowing us to draw conclusions about the level of causality of a genetic mutation.
What is experimental
This neurotransmitter is an excitatory neurotransmitter, meaning it increases the firing of neurons it binds to.
What is glutamate?
Luby et al. (2013) found a correlation between lower socioeconomic status and lower volume in this brain region, which is important for memory and learning.
What is the hippocampus?
This is a research method that compares identical twins (monozygotic) and fraternal twins (dizygotic) to understand the relative influence of genes and environment on behavior.
These are considered the gold standard for research as they help control for potential biases and ensure the observed effects are truly due to the independent variable.
What are randomized controlled experiments
Replace, reduce and Refine refer to what?
What are the 3 R's of animal research
Feder et al. (2014) found that ketamine, an antagonist of glutamate receptors, was effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD. What does antagonist mean in this context?
What is it Blocks the effects of a neurotransmitter
This part of the brain is involved in inhibiting impulsive behavior and allowing for rational thought. According to Meyer-Lindenberg et al. (2008), reduced activity in this region could contribute to aggressive tendencies.
What is The ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC)
This refers to the proportion of the variance in a trait that can be attributed to genetic factors
What is Heritability
Just because two variables are correlated (e.g., poverty and aggression) doesn't mean one necessarily causes the other.
What is Correlation does not imply causation
This federal law requires that all animal dealers be registered and licensed. In addition, all animal labs must be overseen by a committee that includes one veterinarian and one person not affiliated with the facility. The committee must regularly assess animal care, treatment, and practices during research, and is required to ensure that alternatives to animal use in experimentation would be used whenever possible.
What is the Animal Welfare Act