1 Psychology 304: Brain and Behaviour Lecture 3

2 1. Join us for a Psychology Learning Smackdown on Arts Co-op, Arts Internship, Arts Tri-Mentoring, Community- Based Experiential Learning, and Go Global. At the session you will learn about each of these programs, the types of work and experiences you can expect, and more! When: September 20th, 5:00-6:30PM Where: Room 261, IBLC (Irving K. Barber Learning Centre) Announcements

What’s important in my career and my life? Start with Arts Co-op!  Explore career goals and interests  Gain months of paid experience before graduation  Build a professional network Application Deadline: Wednesday, September 4pm Info Sessions by Dept GEOGSept 1312:30pmGEOG 147 ENGLSept 1712:00pmBUTO 599 CNRSSept 175:00pmBUCH B210 PSYCSept 205:00pmIBLC 261 General Info Sessions Sept 124:00pmIBLC 261 Sept 2012:30pmIBLC 261 Sept 243:00pmIBLC 182

4 2. The Psychology Department’s Undergraduate Journal Club is looking for motivated students to participate in meetings every third week to discuss research articles published by our faculty members. The group will be limited to 30 students, with two faculty advisors. Certificates will be given to students upon completion of the program. Meetings will be held on Wednesdays, 3:30-4:30 PM. Application due date: Friday, September 21st. Meeting dates and application form available through the Psychology Department homepage, see “News.”

5 Research Methods 1.What techniques do biological psychologists use to assess the structure and function of the nervous system? (continued)

6 1. discuss the goals and methods of EEG, MEG, and electrical stimulation. By the end of today’s class, you should be able to: 3. describe lesioning techniques. 2. identify the location and function of the motor homunculus.

7 4. Recording (continued)  Examples (continued): What techniques do biological psychologists use to assess the structure and function of the nervous system? (continued)

8 Electroencephalography (EEG, continued): EEG may be used to diagnose disorders of the brain (e.g., epilepsy).

9 Magnetoencephalography (MEG): A recording technique in which magnetic sensors (SQUIDs) are placed on the scalp. The sensors measure the magnetic activity of a large number of nerve cells. Provides a measure of brain activity.

10 MEG Recording and Plot on 3D Image of Participant’s Head Presentation of visual stimulus

11 5. Electrical Stimulation  Allows researchers to determine the functions of distinct brain regions (i.e., functional localization).  Involves artificially stimulating distinct regions and assessing changes in behaviour.  Electrical stimulation is delivered through electrodes; the electrical current increases the firing of neurons at the tip of the electrode.

12 The Motor Homunculus Primary motor cortex

13  A recently developed form of stimulation is repeated trans-cranial magnetic stimulation. Magnetic pulses are applied to the scalp, creating an electrical current below the stimulation site. This method reduces the symptoms associated with depression, mania, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

14 6. Lesion  Allows researchers to determine the functions of distinct brain regions (i.e., functional localization).  Involves examining the consequences of naturally- occurring or deliberately produced injuries to neural tissue (i.e., lesions).

15 A Lesion in Wernicke’s Area

16 Example of the speech of an individual with Wernicke’s aphasia. The individual is describing a picture of a child taking a cookie. “Uh, well this is the... the … of this. This and this and this and this. These things going in there like that. This is … things here. This one here, these two things here. And the other one here, back in this one, this one look at this one.”

17 Aspiration lesions Radio-frequency lesions Cryogenic blockade  A number of techniques exist to create deliberate lesions. Examples:

18 Research Methods 1.What techniques do biological psychologists use to assess the structure and function of the nervous system? (continued)