1. Technology in brain research
Brain-imaging technologies

2. Invasive techniques
Instead of invasive techniques such as ablation (removing) and lesioning (scarring), which raise serious ethical concerns due to:
damage cannot be reversed
Causing pain
Potential harm unknown
One can use…

3. Brain Scanning Techniques
EEG (electroencephalogram)
PET (positron emission topography)
FMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging)

5. EEG (electroencephalogram)
The EEG registers patterns of voltage change in the brain
Help the researchers in the Study of sleep, emotions and epilepsy
Weaknesses are:
provide only limited information
cannot reveal what is happening in the deeper brain regions
Cannot show the actual functioning of the brain

7. PET (positron emission topography)
Monitors glucose metabolism in the brain (using up energy)
The patient is injected with a harmless dose of radioactive glucose
The scans produce coloured maps of brain activity
Used to: diagnose abnormalities like tumours, Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, compare sex differences
Greatest advantage is: can record ongoing activity in the brain, such as thinking

9. FMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging)
Provides three-dimensional pictures of the brain structures, using magnetic fields and radio waves
Shows actual brain activity
Higher resolution than PET scans and easier to carry out
The most frequently used today

11. Evaluation of brain scans
Weakness: not a natural environment, low ecological validity
The use of colours may exaggerate the different activities of the brain
Brain activates for various reasons – parts can be “lighted” but not necessarily used in the response
…“we know that it is not possible to definitively determine whether a person is anxious or feeling connected simply by looking at activity in a particular brain region.”
…“a one-to-one mapping between a brain region and a mental state is not possible.” Michael Shermer © 2008 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN

12. Section A markbands SAQ app. 250 words/20 min
Marks Level descriptor
The answer does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1 to 3
There is an attempt to answer the question, but knowledge and understanding is limited, often inaccurate, or of marginal relevance to the question.
4 to 6
The question is partially answered. Knowledge and understanding is accurate but limited. Either the command term is not effectively addressed or the response is not sufficiently explicit in answering the question.
7 to 8
The question is answered in a focused and effective manner and meets the demands of the command term. The response is supported by appropriate and accurate knowledge and understanding of research.
Command terms with definitions handout

13. Three parts-test on Thursday
Be ready on Thursday to answer two SAQs from this chapter (will be graded):
The effect of cognition on physiology
The localization of function of the brain
Could be asked to explain or examine and to know a study as reference
3. A multiple choice test on the whole chapter