Cognitive Neuroscience - Research Methods

A [blank_start]single dissociation[blank_end] refers to the situation where a patient is impaired on one task but relatively spared on another.

A [blank_start]double dissociation[blank_end] refers to the situation where two single dissociations have a complementary profile of abilities.

A [blank_start]double[blank_end] dissociation provides stronger evidence than a [blank_start]single[blank_end] dissociation for the independence of two cognitive functions.

[blank_start]Transcranial magnetic stimulation[blank_end] is a non-invasive method used to stimulate neural activity in studies involving human participants. It generates [blank_start]magnetic fields[blank_end] above the stimulation site, which alters the electrical activity of the target site underneath the scalp.

Recordings from macroelectrodes attached to the scalp of human participants are called [blank_start]electroencephalongram[blank_end].

An [blank_start]event-related potential[blank_end] is an EEG based measure of the brain's response to a specific sensory, cognitive or motor event.

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) measures [blank_start]magnetic fields[blank_end] induced by neurons' electrical activity.

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) has better [blank_start]temporal[blank_end] resolution but poorer [blank_start]spatial[blank_end] resolution than functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Positron emission tomography (PET) uses [blank_start]glucose uptake[blank_end] to indicate regional metabolic rates of the brain.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging uses [blank_start]blood oxygen level[blank_end] to indicate regional metabolic rates of the brain.

The [blank_start]subtraction[blank_end] methodology in PET and fMRI studies involves comparisons of imaging data recorded during an experimental task with imaging data recorded during a control task.

Describe and compare the three major approaches to studying the relationship between the brain and behaviour. Three approaches" 1. [blank_start]Brain lesion studies[blank_end] - study the behavioural consequences of [blank_start]permanent damage[blank_end]. 2. [blank_start]Stimulating neural activity[blank_end] - study behavioural consequences of [blank_start]temporary brain stimulation[blank_end]. For example [blank_start]transcranial magnetic stimuation[blank_end] (TMS) 3. [blank_start]Measuring neural activity[blank_end] - measure [blank_start]neural responses[blank_end] to behavioural manipulation. Typical methods include [blank_start]magnetoencephalography[blank_end] MEG (use [blank_start]magnetic[blank_end] fields), [blank_start]positron emission tomography[blank_end] EEG (uses [blank_start]glucose[blank_end] uptake) and [blank_start]functional magnetic resonance imaging[blank_end] fMRI (uses [blank_start]blood oxygen[blank_end] level). When comparing 1 and 2, both [blank_start]manipulate brain activity[blank_end] (ie. control vs [blank_start]patient[blank_end] group for 1, and before vs after [blank_start]stimulation[blank_end] for 2), and measure [blank_start]behavioural outcomes[blank_end]. Brain lesions are [blank_start]irreversible[blank_end], but effects of stimulation are [blank_start]temporary[blank_end]. When comparing 1 and 2 vs 3 - 1 and 2 manipulate [blank_start]brain activity[blank_end] and measure [blank_start]behavioural outcomes[blank_end], but 3 manipulate [blank_start]behaviour[blank_end] (engaged vs not engaged) and measures [blank_start]brain activity[blank_end].