Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
How does fMRI work to study brain activity? fMRI detects changes in blood oxygenation and flow resulting from neural activity in specific brain areas. This technique produces detailed 3D images showing which regions are involved in particular cognitive processes.
Highlight: fMRI is a virtually risk-free neuroimaging technique as it does not require radiation exposure.
One of the main fMRI advantages is its ability to provide high-resolution spatial information about brain activity. However, among the fMRI limitations is its relatively high cost compared to other brain imaging techniques.
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
An electroencephalogram procedure involves measuring electrical activity in the brain via electrodes placed on a skull cap. The resulting recording shows brainwave patterns that can indicate various neurological conditions.
Example: EEG can be used to diagnose epilepsy or detect brain tumors.
When considering EEG advantages and disadvantages, a key strength is its usefulness in studying sleep stages and diagnosing certain neurological conditions. However, a limitation is its inability to pinpoint the exact source of neural activity within the brain.
Event-Related Potentials (ERPs)
ERPs are derived from EEG recordings by filtering out specific neural responses triggered by particular events. This technique offers excellent temporal resolution compared to other neuroimaging methods.
Vocabulary: Temporal resolution refers to the precision of a measurement with respect to time.
A significant challenge in EEG studies in Psychology using ERPs is the need to eliminate all background noise and extraneous variables to achieve pure data.
Post-Mortem Examinations
Post-mortem brain examinations have been crucial in providing a foundation for early understanding of key brain processes. These studies are often conducted on individuals who had rare disorders to establish the likely cause of their affliction.
Definition: Post-mortem examinations are medical procedures conducted after death to investigate the cause and circumstances of a person's death.
When evaluating post mortem examination Psychology strengths and weaknesses, it's important to note that while these studies have been vital for advancing our understanding of brain function, they raise significant ethical issues, particularly regarding consent from the individual before death.
