How Do We Know What We Know?Neuroscience Methods
Tools for Viewing Brain StructureNeuroanatomy
• Cell Body Staining
• Tract (Myelin) Staining
• Tract Tracing
• Immunocytochemistry
Tools for Viewing Brain FunctionNeurophysiology
Where can signals be recorded?
Channels Inside Outside Many
“Patch Clamp” “Intracellular” “Extracellular” “Mass Unit”
Tools for Viewing Brain FunctionNeurophysiology
Where can signals be recorded?
1
2
3
x
x x
1 = EEG
2 = ECoG
3 = Intracranial
Tools for Viewing Brain FunctionNeurophysiology
• Patch Clamp Recording
• Intracellular Recording
• Extracellular Recording
• Mass Unit Recording
• Evoked Potentials
• Electrocorticography (ECoG)
• Electroencephalography (EEG)
Where can signals be recorded?
Brain Imaging
• Computed Tomography Scan (CT Scan)
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
CT scan• Also called a CAT scan• Computerized axial tomography• X-ray of brain tissue• Shows brain structure
Brain Imaging
PET scan• Positron Emissions Tomography• Patients drinks radioactive glucose and image shows
areas of brain activity.
Tools for Viewing Brain Structure and Activity
MRI• Magnetic Resonance Imaging• Exposes brain to magnetic field• Shows brain structure
Tools for Viewing Brain Structure and Activity
fMRI • Functional MRI• Uses magnetic field• Detects blood flow changes• Not harmful• Shows brain structure and activity
Tools for Viewing Brain Structure and Activity
Behavioral Neuroscience
• Stereotaxic Surgery
• Lesion Production/Injury
• Electrical Brain Stimulation
• Microinjection
Top Related