MRI
fMRI
GENERAL
Pre-Technology
Research
100
Why can you not wear metal in an MRI?
Because it's a giant magnet.
100
What does an fMRI measure?
The blood flow between neurons (or, the different areas of the brain that are activated during a particular task)
100
MRIs use magnetic fields and (....) waves.
Radio
100
What were two research methods that were commonly used to study the brain before the invention of fMRIs and MRIs?
Case studies and animal experimentation (invasive techniques)
100
What brain imaging machine did Perry use in his natural experiment on neglected children?
MRI
200
What do the scanned images from an MRI machine show?
The structure (i.e. size and shape) of a brain.
200
What is the major correlation that can be determined by the use of the fMRI machine?
The correlation (relationship) between a particular cognitive process or behaviour and an area of the brain that is associated with that process or behaviour.
200
What is the name of one other brain imaging technology commonly used?
PET (Positron Emission Tomography); CT
200
What is one limitation of using animal experimentations to study the brain?
It's difficult to generalize to humans; there are numerous ethical considerations to be factored into the research
200
Why did researchers perform an MRI scan on HM?
To see exactly what areas of his brain had been removed.
300
What differences exists in the brains of PTSD patients compared with healthy controls as shown in research using MRIs?
Their hippocampi are smaller
300
What differences exists in the brains of PTSD patients compared with healthy controls as shown in research using fMRIs?
Their amygdalae are more active (hyper-responsive)
300
Why are MRIs and fMRIs known as "non-invasive techniques"?
Because they don't require the brain to be cut open in order to study it.
300
What are two limitations of using case studies to study the brain?
Difficult to generalize as small sample size; can be time consuming; there are numerous ethical considerations; check your notes for other answers
300
What were the specific biological changes as shown in the MRI scans on the London bus and taxi drivers in Maguire's natural experiment?
The taxi drivers had larger posterior hippocampi and smaller anterior hippocampi than the bus drivers.
400
What does MRI stand for?
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
400
What does the textbook mean when it says, the fMRI provides "more dynamic rather than static" information?
An fMRI can measure neurotransmission occuring in the brain as it happens, instead of only providing "snap-shot" type information like in an MRI. It is showing on-going activity, i.e. activity over a period of time.
400
What is the major difference between the MRI and fMRI machine?
MRI shows the STRUCTURE, fMRI records ACTIVITY.
400
What part of the rat did the researchers lesion to measure the effects of weight gain?
Hypothalamus
400
If Rosenzweig conducted his experiment now, what technology could he use to measure similar dependent variables?
MRI - it could show the differences in the structures of the brain based on the rats' different environments
500
Why can we not conclude that a small hippocampi is a cause of PTSD?
Because it may be a symptom - the scans are taken after PTSD is diagnosed, so there's no way to compare with before.
500
What does fMRI stand for?
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
500
In what year was the MRI invented?
1977
500
What is an example of a post-mortem study carried out on a human?
Broca's study on Tan, when he dissected his brain to investigate what was the cause of his speech impediment.
500
What are of the brain is activated when we see the person (or a photo of them) we are in love with? And, what neurotransmitter is concentrated in this area of the brain?
The VTA and dopamine (VTA = ventral tegmental area)