CHAPTER 4 - Research Methods: Histology, Imaging, and Stimulation

What animals are most often used in psychology (about 90%)?

Rodents and pigeons

What animals are gaining popularity in psychology?

Mice

Transgenic mice

Mice with DNA from another source inserted into their genome, to study the effects of specific genes on behavior and brain function, and to model human diseases.

Knockout mice

A laboratory mouse, genetically engineered by inactivating or "knocking out" a specific gene—either by replacing it or disrupting it with an artificial piece of DNA— to study the gene's function and its impact on behavior, physiology, and disease.

Invertebrates

An animal lacking a backbone with a simple nervous system

Invertebrates EXAMPLE

Bees, sea slugs, flies, flatworms

Vivisection

Surgery conducted for experimental purposes on a living organisms. (Live Animal Research)

Microelectrodes

Specialized electrodes designed for stimulation or lesion of biological tissues, particularly the brain without causing significant damage.

Cannula

Small tubes, to allow access to body fluids, tissues, or specific brain regions for research purposes, such as studying drug effects, neurotoxins, neurotransmitters.

Microdialysis Probe

A technique that enables sampling and collecting of fluids in the brain.

Stereotaxic surgery

Surgery to precisely implant electrodes or cannulas into specific brain regions for research purposes, enabling targeted stimulation, recording, or drug delivery.

Sham control

Used to ensure that the observed effects are due to the actual experimental manipulation (such as a lesion, stimulation, or chemical infusion) rather than the surgery or the procedure itself.

Neurohistology

The study of nervous system tissue, focusing on assessing cannula or probe placement, visualizing cell bodies, and examining axonal connections.

Neuronal Tracing

A technique that maps the pathways of neurons in the nervous system and where axons project to/come from.

Anterograde tracing

A technique used to visualize axonal pathways by tracing the flow of a tracer substance from the cell body (soma) along the axons towards their terminals (synapses).

Retrograde tracing (e.g. DA)

A technique in neuroscience that involves labeling neuronal pathways from the synaptic terminal back to the cell body.

What are some types or physiological recordings? (4)

• Electrocardiogram (ECG)

• Electrodermal activity (EDA)

• Electromyography (EMG)

• Electroencephalography (EEG

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

A method of collecting electrical signals generated by the heart Measures heart rate

Electrodermal activity (EDA)

Also known as galvanic skin response (GSR), measures skin perspiration, which is an indicator of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) arousal and emotional responses.

Electromyography (EMG)

A medical diagnostic test that measures the electrical activity of muscles and nerves, often used on the face to quantify microexpressions. 

Electroencephalography (EEG

Inexpensive and non-invasive diagnostic test where electrodes are placed on the skull to record electrical activity of the brain in real time.

X-rays

A painless imaging test that uses radiation to create pictures of the inside of your body

CT scan

Also known as a “CAT scan” (computerized axial tomography) is an imaging procedure that uses a  series of X-rays arranged by a computer.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

An imaging technique that uses large magnetic field waves to get detailed images of deep structures like the brain and organs.

fMRI

used to map brain activity by measuring blood flow and oxygen levels in different brain region

MRA (angiography)

Imaging technique that uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualize blood vessels and blood flow.

Positron emission tomography (PET scan)

Imaging technique that uses injected radioactive isotope to see how the body's organs/tissues are functioning. Good for brain diseases and the working brain

Deep brain stimulation (DBS)

: Uses human stereotaxic surgery to control abnormal brain activity by delivering electrical impulses. 

What disorders/diseases can Deep brain stimulation (DBS) be used for?

• Depressive disorder &

• Parkinson’s disease

• Chronic pain.

Biofeedback

A technique Used to learn control of the ANS (autonomic nervous system) by monitoring heart rate, skin temp, muscle activity, and brainwaves. 

What is Biofeedback good for?

• relaxation

• reducing headaches

• regaining control of muscles,

• brain-computer interface control.

Which of the following most accurately describes transgenic mice and knockout Mice?

1. In transgenic mice genes are removed, in knockout mice genes are altered

2. In knockout mice genes are removed, in transgenic mice genes are altered

3. Both transgenic mice and knockout mice have existing genes altered

4. Both transgenic and knockout mice have selected genes removed

3. Both transgenic mice and knockout mice have existing genes altered

Which concept allows researchers to determine the location of cell bodies for axon terminals in a specific brain region?

1. Brain atlas

2. Anterograde tracing

3. Retrograde tracing

4. Sham control

3. Retrograde tracing

From the video we watched last class, symptoms from which disorder were reduced using Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)?

1. Alzheimer's disease

2. Multiple Sclerosis

3. Huntington’s disease

4. Parkinson's disease

4. Parkinson's disease