PSYC 275 Chapter 3 Research Methods Part 2

Four primary invasive research methods

Lesioning

Electrical stimulation

Invasive recording methods

Manipulating or measuring within the brain

Stereotaxic surgery

Used to position experimental devices within the brain

Stereotaxic atlas

Provides coordinates for locating structures within the brain

Bregma 

A clear reference point to start measurements; like the “north pole or south pole.”

Stereotaxic instrument

Used to hold head steady and guide the device to be inserted

What are the four types of lesions?

Aspiration lesions – sucks up part of the issue with a needle

Radio frequency lesions – put an electrode into the brain, and increase heat that will kill tissue

Knife cuts – damage the areas with knifes

Cryogenic blockade – put in a device that cools a part of the brain, killing neural activity until it warms up

Electrical stimulation

May be used to “activate” a structure

Pharmatalogical routes of drug administration

Intragastrally – IG – into the stomach

Intraperitoneally – IP – into the abdomen Subcutaneously – SC – injected under the skin

Cannula - An inserted tube that releases chemicals 

Immunocytochemistry

Where researchers create antibodies for neurotransmitters or receptors, then they label these neurotransmitters, and then measure the activity.

In situ hybridization

Very similar to immunocytochemistry except you’re looking for proteins instead of neurotransmitters or receptors