Chapter 5 Physiology

Experimental Ablation

A research method used to investigate brain functions by removing or inactivating part of the brain and evaluating subsequent behavior.

Lesion Studies

Experiments that involve damaging a specific part of the brain and observing changes in behavior to determine the function of that region.

Stereotaxic Surgery

A surgical method that involves using a stereotaxic apparatus to position electrodes or cannulas precisely in specific brain areas.

Histological Methods

Procedures for preparing brain tissue for microscopic examination, including fixation, sectioning, and staining.

Anterograde Labeling

A method to trace efferent axons where chemicals are injected into a brain region and transported forward to terminal buttons.

Retrograde Labeling

A method to trace afferent axons where chemicals are injected into a target region and taken up by terminal buttons to evaluate their cell bodies.

Functional MRI (fMRI)

An imaging technique that measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow and oxygen levels in the brain.

Microdialysis

A technique to measure neurotransmitter release by inserting a probe into the brain, which collects fluid containing molecules from the extracellular space.

Twin Studies

Research designs that compare the behavior and traits of monozygotic twins and dizygotic twins to assess genetic contributions.

Adoption Studies

Research methods that compare adopted children with their biological and adoptive families to assess the influence of genetics and environment.

Antisense Oligonucleotides

Short strands of DNA or RNA that bind to specific mRNA molecules to inhibit the production of proteins, used to study gene function.

CRISPR-Cas Methods

Genetic techniques that allow researchers to alter DNA sequences, providing insights into the roles of specific genes in behavior.

Immunocytochemistry

A laboratory technique that uses antibodies to detect specific proteins or antigens in cells or tissue sections.

Autoradiography

A technique used to visualize the distribution of radioactive substances within tissues, often used to locate receptors in the brain.

PET Scan

A functional imaging technique that uses radioactive tracers to visualize metabolic processes in the brain.

Neurochemical Methods

Techniques used to identify and measure specific neurochemicals and their effects on neural function and behavior.

Microelectrodes

Small electrodes used to record the electrical activity of individual neurons.

Macroelectrodes

Larger electrodes that record the electrical activity of populations of neurons.

Optogenetic Methods

Techniques that use light to control neurons that have been genetically modified to express light-sensitive ion channels.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

A noninvasive method used to stimulate small regions of the brain using magnetic fields.

Behavioral Neuroscience

A field of study that examines the interactions between biological processes and behavior, often utilizing various experimental methods.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter involved in reward, motivation, and motor control; associated with behaviors related to drug addiction.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter that plays a key role in muscle activation, attention, and memory; involved in the action of certain insecticides.

Neurotransmitter

Chemicals that transmit signals across synapses from one neuron to another, influencing neural communication.