Unit 4 (Chapter 7) - The Methods and Ethics of Research in Neuroscience (Terms)

P-Value

A statistical value representing the probability that the results are randomized and thus significant

Experimental Study

A research design in which a researcher manipulates independent variable to produce change in the dependent variable

Correlational Study

A type of research design in which a researcher observes whether two variables are related

Golgi Stain

A neuron stain that randomly stains 5% of neurons in a slide of tissue

Myelin Stain

A neuron stain that is taken up by the fatty myelin surrounding axons

Nissl Stain

A neuron stain that stains and identifies the cell bodies of neurons

Retrograde Stain

A neuron stain that is taken up by neuron terminals and transported up axons to cell bodies

Autoradiography

A neuron staining technique using radioactive substances postmortem to stain and reveal which neurons are active at a certain time

Immunocytochemistry

A neuron staining technique that uses the neuron’s corresponding antibodies attached to a dye to identify cell components

In Situ Hybridization

A neuron staining technique involving construction of labelled DNA strands which code a complementary mRNA strand, that will then move to encode labelled proteins

Light Microscope

A basic, light powered microscope with the ability to magnify 1500x

Electron Microscope

Microscope that uses electrons to magnify, with up to 250 000x magnification

Transmission Electron Microscope

Microscope that passes a bean of electrons through a thin slice of tissue, giving up to 50 million times magnification

Scanning Electron Microscope

Microscope that use a beam of electrons to induce the specimen to emit electrons, producing a 3D image and giving up to 2 to 3 million times magnification

Stereotaxic Instrument

A device used to manipulate brain activity that holds the head in a fixed position depending on its orientation, allowing precise positioning of a probe in the brain, used in surgeries to hold the head still

Optogenetic Techniques

A technique used to manipulate brain activity that inserts light-sensitive channels from bacteria into specific types of precursor neurons in order to be able to stimulate the neuron with light

Cannula

A device used to manipulate brain activity that is a tube inserted into the brain that allows injection of a substance to only affect a certain area

Microdialysis

A more complex variation of cannulation, where chemicals are not injected but instead taken from a specific area of the brain via a cannula

Natural Experiments

A technique of measuring brain activity in which experimentation or research is performed on brain damaged patients, typically case studies

Ablation

Surgical removal of brain tissue in either natural or laboratory experiments, often done by aspiration

Lesioning

Surgical damaging or temporary inhibiting of brain tissue

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A technique used to measure brain activity in which an electronic amplifier will detect electrical activity of all neurons between two electrodes

Event-Related Potential (ERP)

The average of many recorded responses to stimulus by an EEG, which cancels out background noise and measurements not relevant to the study

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

A noninvasive technique of manipulating brain activity using a magnet coil to induce a voltage able to turn on and off certain parts of the brain via their electrically gated ion channels

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS)

A type of TDS that can change activity of astrocytes

Computed Tomography (CT)

A structural imaging technique that produces series of X-rays documenting the densities of blood vessels in the brain that are then composited into a 3D image

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A structural imaging technique that measures radio-frequency waves emitted by hydrogen atoms within a water molecule exposed to magnetic field, producing a detailed image

Diffusion Tensor Imaging

An MRI variant measuring the movement of water molecules, allowing us to map pathways between communicating areas

Positron Emission Topography (PET)

A functional imaging technique in which brain region activity is observed through a radioactive substance injected into bloodstream or ingested

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

A functional imaging technique that detects increases in blood flow via measuring oxygen usage in the brain

Data Snooping

A phenomenon in which research questions are created after collection of data, violating the scientific method because of bias

Positive Correlation

A type of correlation in which the variables have a relationship that occurs in the same direction, having a positive correlation coefficient

Negative Correlation

A type of correlation in which the variables have a relationship that occurs in opposite directions, having a negative correlation coefficient

Family Study

A type of correlational study used to compare genetic similarity that determines how a characteristic is shared among relatives by studying families

Twin Study

A type of correlational study used to compare genetic similarity that assesses how similar twins are compared to each other, other relatives, or fraternal twin siblings

Concordance Rate

The frequency with which relatives within a family are alike in a characteristic

Genetic Engineering

An experimental tactic in which the target’s genes are manipulated in order to discover the effects of a gene on the larger organism

Knockout Technique

A genetic engineering technique in which a nonfunctioning mutation is introduced into gene, then transferred to embryos, replacing the existing working gene

Knockdown Technique

A genetic engineering technique in which a working gene already present in a cell is silenced by interfering with its expression with antisense RNA

Antisense RNA

A complementary strand of RNA which binds to mRNA to a block gene during gene knockdown, preventing protein translation and thus gene expression

Gene Transfer

A genetic engineering technique in which a gene from another organism is inserted into recipient cells in order to investigate expression in an organism the gene is not typically found in

Gene Therapy

A genetic engineering technique in which there is treatment of disorders by manipulating genes, using vectors to insert genes into the body

Vector

A disabled virus that will carry a selected gene into the body, used in gene therapy

Informed Consent

individual’s voluntary agreement to participate with understanding of potential adverse effects, including all risks and benefits and the knowledge that they can leave at any time

Deception

Misinforming or failing to disclose to participants the details of the study

Speciesism

A term coined by animal rights activists in which morality towards different species differs, mainly used when comparing humans and animals

Dual Standard

Experimenters’ preference for inflicting discomfort or dangers on animals rather than humans

Stem Cell Therapy

A treatment method where applications of pluripotent embryonic stem cells that can develop into almost any kind of cells are applied to treat damage to areas that usually are unable to regenerate (esp. in nervous system)