Neuropsychology

neuropsychology

the study of functions and behaviors associated with specific regions of the brain

lesions and ablations

research method in neuropsych wherein localized brain damage or brain surgery is used to study functions of specific brain areas

stereotaxic instrument

research method in neuropsych which is used to locate brain areas when implanting electrodes in order to make lesions, or to stimulate and/or record nerve cell activity

electrical stimulation and recording of neurons

research method in neuropsych used to study activity of individual nerve cells

electroencephalograph (EEG)

noninvasive brain imaging technique; electrodes are placed on surface of head to detect and record broad patterns of electrical activity

regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF)

noninvasive brain imaging technique; detects patterns of neural activity based on increased blood flow to different parts of brain

computer axial topography (CT scans)

noninvasive brain imaging technique; X-ray used to obtain detailed images of structures of the brain

positron emission tomography (PET scans)

noninvasive brain imaging technique; uses radiotracers in blood to visualize changes in blood flow and metabolic processes

aphasia

impairment of language functions; caused by damage to Broca’s area (language production) or Wernicke’s area (understanding spoken language) 

amnesia

impairment of memory functions; caused by damage to hippocampus

anterograde amnesia

subtype of amnesia characterized by disturbance in memory formation after brain injury

retrograde amnesia

subtype of amnesia characterized by disturbance in memory retention before brain injury

agnosia

impairment in perceptual recognition of objects; caused by association areas surrounding visual cortex or somatosensory cortex

apraxia

impairment of skilled motor movements; caused by damage to association areas around motor cortex