Ways of Studying the Brain - AP Psychology Unit 1: Biological Bases of Behavior

Phineas Gage

A railroad construction foreman who survived a severe brain injury in 1848 when an iron rod accidentally pierced his skull. This incident caused Gage to become highly emotional and impulsive.

Lesions

Removal or destruction of part of the brain

Frontal Lobotomy

Removal of the rontal lobe used to treat patients of mental illness; making them calm and relieved symptoms

EEG

Electroencephalogram

EEG Purpose

Detects brain waves

examines what kind of waves the brain produces during different stages of consciousness

CAT or CT Scan

Computerized Axial Tomography

CAT or CT Scan purpose

Sophisticated X ray

Uses several X ray cameras that rotate around the brain to make a 3D picture of the structure

It only shows structure, not activity

MRI

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

MRI Purpose

Similar to the CAT scan in the way that they both give comprehensive pictures of the brain

But the MRI uses magnetic fields to measure the density and location of brain material and can form a more detailed image

Patients are not exposed to carcinogenic radiation

Only shows structure, not activity

PET

Positron Emission Tomography

PET purpose

A medical imaging technique that uses radioactive substances to measure metabolic activity in the brain, allowing visualization of brain function and activity.

More Glucose used = higher activity

FMRI

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

FMRI Purpose

Combines elements of the MRI and PET scans in the way that it shows details of the brain structure while also showing infor about bloodflow in brain