Neuroscience Research Methods: PET, MRI, Histology, and Genetics

What does PET scan stand for?

Positron Emission Tomography

What is the purpose of ablation lesions in research?

They generate heat that kills tissue to measure neural activity.

What does functional MRI measure?

It measures oxygenated blood flow to determine brain activity.

What is the role of bregma in stereotaxic surgery?

Bregma is a reference point used to hold an animal in place during surgery.

What is the significance of hemoglobin in brain imaging?

Hemoglobin carries oxygen to different parts of the brain, which is measured in imaging studies.

What is the purpose of fixation in histology?

Fixation with formalin destroys tissue to prepare it for study.

What is optogenetics?

A technique that implants genetic material to control neuron activity using light.

What is a microtome used for?

To cut tissue into thin sections for microscopic examination.

What do genome-wide association studies investigate?

They compare allele variants to identify genetic risk factors for disorders.

What is the purpose of diffusion tensor imaging?

To visualize and analyze the patterns of neural connections in the brain.

What does an electroencephalogram (EEG) measure?

It measures overall brain activity using macroelectrodes.

What is the function of neural recording with microelectrodes?

To measure the activity of single neurons.