Ways of investigating the brain

Scanning and other techniques

• Functional magnetic resonance imaging
  • fMRI works by detecting the changes in blood oxygenation and flow that occur as a result of neural activity in specific parts of the brain
  • When a brain area is more active it requires more oxygen and to meet this demand, blood flow is directed to the active area (haemodynamic response)
  • fMRI produces 3-D images
  • + Does not rely on radiation, virtually risk free, non-invasive and straightforward to use
  • +Very high spatial resolution, providing a clear picture of how brain activity is localised
  • -Expensive compared to toher techniques
  • -Can only capture an image if a person is perfectly still
  • -Poor temporal resolution, 5 second time lag behind the image on screen and the initial firing of neuronal activity
• Electroencephalogram (EEG)
  • EEGs measure electrical activity within the brain via electrodes on a skull cap
  • The scan recording represents the brainwave patterns that are generated from actions of neurons, providing an overall account…